Hello all Storm here with a new chapter and hoping everyone is having a Happy Easter! Here we'll be seeing that while Naruto and Bass are working together, things aren't all perfect and both are still adjusting to being a team, especially Bass now having to need help from someone else. So, without further ado.
I own nothing
"It's time to wake up, Lan Hikari." Said Lan's NormalNavi as his alarm went off, only for the brunette to continue sleeping through the beeping.
'He should probably get a different alarm.' Naruto thought, seeing how Lan hasn't even stirred in his sleep since it went off.
"Lan? Lan, it's time to wake up. You must wake up or you'll be late." The NormalNavi called out, with Lan simply rolling over in bed.
"Oi Lan, you can't sleep all day. Come on, wake up!" Naruto said, trying to shake Lan awake, only for him to groan in his sleep and swat his hand away.
"Does this always happen?" Questioned Naruto while looking at the NormalNavi.
"Yes. He only wakes up after Mrs. Hikari calls him down for breakfast, otherwise it is very difficult to wake Lan up." Replied the Navi, making the whiskered blonde sigh before he soon gained a mischievous smirk.
Getting an idea for how he could wake Lan up, Naruto left the room only to return after a few moments with a bucket of cold water.
'Maybe this'll teach him to start waking up on time. And if it doesn't…eh, it'll be fun to do it again.' Thought Naruto, grinning as he went over to Lan's bed and held the bucket up.
"Hey Lan!" Naruto shouted before dumping the cold water right on top of the brunette.
With the effect being instant as Lan shot up and jumped out of bed screaming at the sudden coldness before he tumbled to the floor, tangled in his sheets. Making him freak out even more as he tried freeing himself from the sheets, gasping for air once he managed to get out of them. Only to glare at Naruto, seeing him laughing and holding the bucket.
"That's not funny!" Lan said in annoyance, shivering from the cold water hitting him.
"Yeah, you're right…it's hilarious! You should've seen your face!" Said Naruto as he continued laughing, much to Lan's growing annoyance.
"Oh yeah…laugh at this, then!" Said Lan before grabbing his wet sheets and throwing them at the Uzumaki, only for Naruto to duck under them.
"HA! Missed-" Naruto said before being cut off when Lan tackled and pinned him to the floor.
Though Naruto managed to keep holding the bucket and threw it over Lan's head, blocking his vision and allowing the whiskered blonde to throw Lan off. With the brunette retaliating by grabbing a pillow and throwing it Naruto, hitting him right in the face.
'Humans and their stupid games.' Bass thought, rolling his eyes at the sight of Naruto and Lan trying to pin the other or throwing anything they could grab.
But he supposed the way Lan had reacted was somewhat amusing.
*Downstairs*
"You're dead, Uzumaki!"
"Come on, why're you so mad?! I thought you'd be happy to wake up on time for once!"
Kushina and Haruka looked up at the ceiling as they heard the noise coming from Lan's room as they were making breakfast, making the redhead sigh while the brunette smiled in amusement.
"It seems Naruto woke up Lan in his own way, one it seems he didn't like." Haruka stated, knowing her sons habit of sleeping through his alarm and how mischievous Naruto can be in messing with people.
"Yeah. I better go stop them before things get too out of hand." Said Kushina as she went to head upstairs to put a stop to things.
"Don't be too rough, Kushina. Boys will be boys after all." Said Haruka, not minding if they had some rough housing as it's to be expected, especially from boys like Naruto and Lan.
Going upstairs, Kushina headed for Lan's room, with it being even louder than it was downstairs and opened the door.
"Alright! That's enough, both of-" Kushina said, only to be cutoff when a stray pillow hit her face.
With this making Naruto and Lan freeze at seeing Kushina and the pillow that hit her, before both boys paled as it fell revealing the Uzumaki woman glaring at them both. Only paling further as her hair began floating up ominously, resembling nine tails, as she cracked her knuckles.
*Later*
Kushina had a pleased smile on her face as she and Naruto ate breakfast with Lan and Haruka, with the boys both now having noticeable bumps on their heads.
"So, what have we learned?" Kushina said, looking at her son and Lan, the two making sure to avoid eye contact.
"Not to go too far and listen when we're told to stop." Said Naruto and Lan, making Kushina's smile widen.
"That's right, we don't want either of you getting hurt now do we." Kushina said sweetly, causing the boys to shiver and rapidly nod.
"What…what just happened?" Bass asked with wide eyes, honestly being caught off-guard at what happened.
He didn't even understand what happened. Only before he knew it, Naruto and Lan had been on the ground with Kushina standing over them.
"Oh that's just the infamous Uzumaki Temper, one that everyone in their family has. But it does seem to be more potent in the women." Haruka revealed, with Bass simply nodding slowly at this information.
The former Solo NetNavi gave Kushina a wary glance with how she was smiling, along with how Naruto and Lan were doing their best to avoid looking at her. Along with eating as quickly as they could so they could leave sooner, neither wanting to risk incurring her wrath again.
*Later*
After they finished breakfast, Naruto and Lan left to meet up with Mayl while being glad that today is a Sunday so they didn't have school. Before the trio had headed to Sal's flower shop to hangout.
"This tea is really great, Sal." Mayl said while smiling at the greenette, which Sal returned.
"Yeah, it's as good as it smells." Added Naruto, only for Lan to gag as he drank his.
"Ugh, I don't know how you guys can drink this." Said Lan, having never really liked tea, while Sal laughed lightly.
"Well I'm glad you guys enjoy it and I guess it's just an acquired taste, Lan. There's also plenty if you want more, Naruto, Mayl." Sal replied before glancing at Naruto's PET on the table, along with Lan's and Mayl's.
"Hey Naruto, I noticed you have your PET with you. Does that mean what I think it means?" Questioned Sal, feigning ignorance at knowing that he now has a NetNavi and who it is.
"It does, I finally have a NetNavi of my own. This is Forte, a NetNavi I created myself." Naruto said while smiling as he showed her Bass, with Sal getting a closer look at him.
"It's nice to meet you, Forte. And you really made him yourself, Naruto?" Sal said while smiling politely at Bass, who merely grunted in response before she turned back to Naruto.
"Yeah, I actually made him based on another NetNavi I saw once on the Net, one that looked really cool and I knew I wanted mine to look like them. But as you can see, it wasn't easy creating Forte which took five years. Though it was worth it as he's really strong, we were even able to beat Dex and GutsMan yesterday." Said Naruto, making Sal's smile grow and nod.
"Wow, then you must've really put a lot of effort in creating him if it took that long and he can beat a NetNavi as strong as GutsMan." Stated Sal, while having different thoughts.
'It's a pretty decent cover story and using a different name than Bass. Since if he makes it seem like he saw the "real Bass" five years ago, he wouldn't be questioned on just where he saw Bass with how long it'd be. And no one would be able to doubt Naruto's claim of spending all his free time working on creating Bass either, something his friends can attest to with how busy he's been.' Sal thought, knowing it's a good cover story should anyone ask questions, only to frown mentally at one piece of information.
'But five years…five years ago is when Dr. Cossak died. Could it be…did Cossak tell Naruto about Bass and he's really spent the past five years searching for him?' Thought Sal, given if that's the case why would Naruto search for a NetNavi like Bass if he knew about him from Cossak and what he's capable of.
It confused the Net Agent at why Naruto would purposefully try to locate Bass and have him as his NetNavi. Making her feel like she and the others don't have all the details concerning Bass and just who he is.
"Well I'm glad you've finally got your own NetNavi, Naruto. I'm sure you'll be winning more NetBattles in no time, maybe even compete in the N1 Grand Prix." Said Sal, making the Uzumaki smile at her.
"Thanks Sal, and we'll see." Naruto said, liking the idea of competing in the N1 Grand Prix, but knew he and Bass would need to work really hard to compete with anyone else that'll enter.
"Oh yeah, I wanted to ask Naruto, but how long until your house is fixed?" Questioned Mayl, wondering how long it'll take before the Uzumaki Household is repaired from the fire.
"Did something happen at home, Naruto?" Sal asked in worry, while Naruto frowned and nodded in response.
"Yeah, the oven exploded and started a fire yesterday doing a lot of damage. Me and mom are staying at Lan's home until ours is repaired and the system is cleaned of any viruses." Replied Naruto, much to Sal's shock and concern.
"As for how long, luckily the fire was able to be contained to the kitchen before it could spread too much, so the damage wasn't too bad. But it's still going to be a couple days before everything's fixed and we're sure it's safe." Naruto said to Mayl, making the redhead nod at this.
"We were actually talking about it last night and think that World Three might be behind the fires that've been happening." Stated Lan, surprising Mayl while Sal glanced at them.
"You know about World Three?" Said Mayl, surprised that Lan knew about World Three with how he doesn't keep up with current events.
"Only after I told him about them." Naruto said with a smirk, making Lan give him a look.
"Hey, I would've heard about them eventually!" Lan said in his defense, much to their amusement.
"Well it's a good thing you three know about them, World Three is incredibly dangerous and it's important to remain vigilant with them around. And if they're the ones starting the fires, then you two should make sure to run system checks at your homes as well, as you can never be too safe." Said Sal to Lan and Mayl, with the two nodding in agreement.
"By the way Sal, I was wondering if maybe I would be able to have a part-time job, here?" Naruto asked, surprising the greenette along with Lan and Mayl.
"A job? Why?" Questioned Sal, not against having Naruto helping her around the shop, but was confused at the sudden request.
"It never hurts to have some extra money and since I've finished working on Forte, I'm going to have a lot more free time on my hands." Naruto said with a shrug, with Sal smiling at him.
"Then I don't see any problem letting you work here; it'll be nice having some help." Sal said, along with knowing it'll allow her to keep a closer eye on Bass as well.
"Thanks Sal, I'll do my best." Said Naruto, giving the greenette a smile.
"I'm sure you will. Come back tomorrow, after school, and we'll work out your hours and duties." Replied Sal, the whiskered blonde nodded in response.
*Later*
Naruto, Mayl and Lan stayed at Sal's shop for a while longer before saying their goodbyes and heading to the arcade. With it not taking long before they arrived, only to stop when Lan stepped in front of them and smirked at Naruto.
"Alright Naruto, it's time. You had a NetBattle with Dex, but now it's my turn, right here and now." Lan said, eager for his chance to battle Naruto and Bass.
"Uh…are you sure you want to still battle, Lan? Even after seeing what Forte can do?" Questioned Naruto, unsure if it'd be a good idea to battle Lan.
Given that GutsMan was a pretty strong and durable custom NetNavi, while he only had a NormalNavi. Making him unsure about battling Lan due to Bass's strength, which could lead to him unintentionally deleting Lan's Navi unless he really holds back.
"Yeah. You saw how he handled GutsMan, he wasn't hit once no matter attacks or Battle Chips Dex and GutsMan used. And no offense Lan, if your NetNavi can't get close to beating GutsMan, I don't think there's any chance you could go against Forte." Mayl added, not doubting that Bass would need to try even less than he seemed to do against GutsMan.
"Maybe, but you never know until you try! So let's battle!" Said Lan, refusing to take no for an answer, making the Uzumaki sigh upon seeing he won't be deterred.
"Alright, just remember that you asked for it." Naruto said as they headed over to an arena and pulled out their PETs.
"If you're ready. Jack-in! Forte, power up!" Said Naruto while plugging in his PET.
"I'm always ready! Jack-in! Power up!" Lan said, connecting his PET as well, with their NetNavis materializing within the arena.
*Arena*
Appearing in the arena across from each other, Bass couldn't help but scowl in annoyance at seeing he now had to fight a NormalNavi.
"First I had to fight that simple-minded fool, now I have to deal with a NetNavi that can't even think beyond its programming." Said Bass, believing such a fight was beneath him.
"Don't think it'll be an easy fight! Blaster! Battle Chip in, download!" Said Lan inserting the Battle Chip in, while the NormalNavi's hand transformed into a blaster.
Quickly aiming at Bass, the NormalNavi began firing multiple shots at the Black Shadow, which Bass dodged, still looking annoyed at having to do this.
"Shooting Buster." Bass said, turning his hand into his Shooting Buster and aiming at the NormalNavi before unleashing a barrage of blasts.
Seeing the blasts coming at him, the NormalNavi jumped to the side to avoid them only for Bass to keep firing at him, forcing the NormalNavi to keep dodging.
"Okay, let's see how you like this! Area Steal! Battle Chip in, download!" Lan said, putting in another Battle Chip to get his Navi out of the way of the blasts.
The NormalNavi vanished from sight just as Bass's attacks were about to hit, with the NormalNavi reappearing right behind the former Solo NetNavi. Though before the NormalNavi could fire at Bass's back, Bass's hand shot out and lifted his blaster arm into the air. While his other hand turned into his Heat Blade to slice the NormalNavi apart.
"Cyber Sword! Battle Chip in, download!" Said Lan, as he quickly inserted another Battle Chip.
Saving his NormalNavi as his other hand turned into a sword, allowing him to block Bass's Heat Blade before backflipping through the air, kicking Bass's jaw to make him release his blaster arm. Giving the NormalNavi the chance to put some distance between them while Bass tilted his head back, not looking fazed by the kick.
"If you wanna make this a swordfight, then try this one! Air Sword! Battle Chip in, download!" Naruto said while slotting in a Battle Chip, with Bass's Heat Blade receding and being replaced with an Air Sword.
Not wasting a moment, Bass suddenly appeared right in front of the NormalNavi, slashing his Air Sword right across it while releasing a blast of wind in the process. With the NormalNavi crying out as it was thrown through the air, before it was forcibly logged out.
"NetNavi logging out."
*Real World*
Lan looked in disbelief at seeing his NormalNavi being defeated in one hit like it was nothing, while Naruto smiled sheepishly before looking at Bass.
"You couldn't have gone just a little easier, Forte?" Naruto asked, knowing he didn't like it and outclassed a NormalNavi, but defeating it with one hit seemed a little much.
"It wasn't deleted, I'd say I held back enough." Retorted Bass, given if he wanted the NormalNavi would have been deleted with that attack rather than just logged out.
"Oh man, even against Dex and GutsMan we last longer and had a better chance at winning." Lan said, not believing how easily they lost.
"Sorry Lan, it was still a good match." Said Naruto, with the brunette giving him a dry look.
"We weren't even battling for a minute." Stated Lan, making the Uzumaki laugh sheepishly.
"Uh…better luck next time then?" Naruto said, not sure what else to say, only to see Mayl taking Lan's place across from him.
"Mayl, what're you doing?" Naruto asked, unsure if she was actually going to try battling him.
"What? You didn't think I'd let Lan and Dex be the only ones to battle you. Besides, Roll and I still want to get payback on Forte for what he said, yesterday." Said Mayl while pulling out her PET, eager to get some payback against Bass.
"And now you're having me fight a pet? What's next, will we be battling a child afterwards?" Bass said, his annoyance growing that he now had to battle Roll as well.
"Say that to my face when I log you out!" Said Roll while glaring at Bass, feeling just as eager to take him down for what he said.
"If you're both sure about battling." Said Naruto, with Mayl and Roll both nodding in determination.
"We are. Now, jack-in! Roll, power up!" Mayl said, plugging her PET into the arena.
*Arena*
Roll appeared in the arena across from Bass, who now looked bored that he had to battle the pink NetNavi after dealing with the NormalNavi.
"Because I don't enjoy fighting those that can't fight back, so I'll give you a chance to save yourself the humiliation of being defeated if you surrender." Bass said, willing to give Roll the chance to surrender than be humiliated.
While he may look down on all other NetNavis and humans, Bass isn't without his own form of honor, having never attacked anyone that couldn't fight back.
"Oh how generous of you." Roll said sarcastically before narrowing her eyes.
"Here's my response, Roll Blast!" Roll said, kissing her fingers and released a wave of hearts at Bass.
Rolling his eyes at the attack, Bass aiming his Shooting Buster and firing a few shots at the hearts, raising a brow when they exploded after being hit. Before jumping back as the remaining hearts rushed at him, detonating once they hit the ground.
"Fine, if you wish to fight, remember I gave you the chance. Hell's Rolling!" Said Bass, creating three wheels of darkness he launched towards Roll.
Only for Roll to quickly move out of the way of the wheels before jumping up into the air and creating a longbow from her hand.
"Have a taste of my Roll Arrow!" Roll said as she began firing multiple energy bolts at Bass, with them moving slower than he expected, allowing the Black Shadow to easily dodge them.
"With attacks like that, perhaps I should save us both the trouble and end this now. Dark Arm Blade!" Bass said, creating his Dark Sword and leaping straight at Roll with the pink Navi charging up another shot.
"Got you now! Roll Dance!" Said Roll with a smirk as her entire body turned into golden dust, surprising Bass when he passed right through her.
"Down here! Roll Arrow!" Roll said as she teleported back down to the ground and reformed her body, before firing her charged bolt straight up at Bass.
'So that move not only lets her turn intangible, but also teleport.' Bass thought before swinging his Dark Sword at the bolt, triggering an explosion that consumed the former Solo NetNavi.
"HA! Who's laughing now?!" Said Roll with a smirk, only for her eyes to widen when Bass appeared right behind her with his Shooting Buster pressed against her back.
"No one, now. Air Burst." Bass said, unleashing a single green energy blast straight at Roll.
"Roll! Area Steal! Battle Chip in, download!" Said Mayl as she quickly put in a Battle Chip, relieved she did so in time, allowing Roll to teleport away from Bass's attack.
Frowning at his attack missing, Bass narrowed his eyes at Roll as she reappeared away from him.
"Let's see you handle this! Air Shot! Battle Chip in, download!" Mayl said, inserting another Battle Chip, causing Roll's hand to turn into a cannon.
Before Roll aimed at Bass and released a powerful blast of wind at the former Solo NetNavi, with Bass jumping into the air avoiding the hit.
"Now for this! Cannon! Battle Chips in, download!" Mayl said inserting two Battle Chips in this time, causing two cannons to appear and take aim at Bass.
"My turn, then! Heat Shot! Battle Chip in, download!" Said Naruto, inserting his own Battle Chip, with Bass's hand turning into a cannon as well.
Jumping out of the way as the cannons began firing at him, Bass released three blasts of heated energy at them, destroying the cannons on impact. Before he turned back to Roll and charged his cannon and unleashed a energy beam of flames at the pink Navi. Only for Roll to charge her own cannon and fired a cyclone of wind.
With the two beams colliding together, unleashing a large firestorm around Bass and Roll as they tried overpowering each other's attack.
"Roll, get out of there! Aqua Tower! Battle Chip in, download!" Said Mayl, putting a Battle Chip in to help Roll escape the flames.
Feeling the new power flow through her, Roll quickly rolled out of the way before slamming her hand onto the ground.
"Aqua Tower!" Roll said, creating a large tower of water that rushed towards Bass, along with dousing the fire around them.
Teleporting out of the way of the water and away from the flames, Bass reappeared behind Roll.
"Hell's Rolling!" Bass said, creating a wheel of darkness, before it sped forward and crashed right into Roll.
Making the female NetNavi cry out from the attack as she went skidding across the ground, before quickly getting out of the way as Bass began firing at her with his Shooting Buster.
"I suppose I'll admit, you're lasting longer than I expected you would. But it's only more disappointing that you're lasting longer than those other two weak NetNavis, yet are hardly putting up a fight." Bass stated as he kept firing, willing to admit Roll was doing better than he expected, but wasn't putting up as much of a fight as GutsMan and the NormalNavi did.
"Well excuse us for not being completely obsessed with NetBattles like Lan, Dex and GutsMan are! Roll Blast!" Retorted Roll before kissing her fingers and releasing a wave of hearts that collided with Bass's blasts.
"Maybe we aren't NetBattle enthusiasts like them, but we have something they don't! Chess Pieces! Battle Chips in, download!" Mayl said, smirking as she inserted her Battle Chips.
Before Bass was surprised when the arena suddenly began changing, until soon he and Roll were standing on a large chess board. With a set of chess pieces appearing alongside Roll, making the pink NetNavi smirk.
"You're in our arena now, Forte! Hope you're ready." Roll said, while the Black Shadow shook his head and scoffed.
"You think a difference in numbers will change the outcome? You're just delaying the inevitable now! Buster Rake!" Said Bass, turning his other hand into a Shooting Buster and firing a volley of shots at the chess pieces.
"We'll see! First up are the rooks!" Said Mayl, sending the rooks forward, having them shield Roll and the rest of their pieces from the attack, making Bass frown at seeing they were able to withstand his shots.
"Now the knights!" Mayl said, having the knights move forward and attack Bass directly.
Seeing the two pieces coming at him from either side, Bass quickly jumped up into the air.
"Roll Dance!" Said Roll, turning her body into golden dust and teleported into the air behind Bass.
"Now take this! Wide Shot! Battle Chip in, download!" Said Mayl, inserting another Battle Chip, as a Roll's arm transformed into a wide blaster.
"Wide Shot!" Roll said, firing a wide blast of water at Bass.
Scowling, Bass brought out his Dark Arm Sword and quickly turned around, slicing the shot in half before it could hit him. Only to grunt when Mayl sent two of the pawns at him, with the pieces leaping up and slamming into the former Solo NetNavi.
"Here's another for you! Roll Flash!" Said Roll, flipping through the air and smacking Bass with her antennae, sending him crashing to the ground.
Now feeling angry that they actually hit him, Bass got up and glared at Roll as she stood back behind her pieces with a pleased smirk.
"Forte, this should take care of some of those pieces! Cycl-" Naruto said, preparing to use a Battle Chip.
"Don't you dare!" Bass snapped, much to the Uzumaki's disbelief.
"I'm trying to help take out some of those pieces, so-" Said Naruto, only for Bass to cut him off.
"I don't need your help! I'll deal with them myself! Hell's Rolling!" Said Bass, refusing to accept help, now desiring to wipe them all out alone.
Before he created five wheels of darkness and launched them forward to mow down the pieces and reach Roll.
"Pawns advance!" Mayl said, having five pawns move forward in the way of the wheels, with the pawns being destroyed but succeeded in stopping the wheels.
"Dark Arm Blade!" Bass said, creating his Dark Sword and speeding towards the pieces, cutting through one of the remaining pawns when it tried getting in his way.
Only to be forced to jump back when the remaining pawns launched themselves at him, with Bass creating one of his Shooting Busters to destroy them as well.
"Can't leave the bishops out!" Said Mayl, making her bishops move at Bass, making him scowl as he had to aim at them to keep them back.
"Don't forget me! Roll Blast!" Roll said, kissing her fingers and releasing a wave of hearts at Bass.
Seeing the attack coming at him, Bass switched and began firing shots at the hearts, while creating his Heat Blade and using it to block the bishops as they came at him.
"Area Steal! Battle Chip in, download!" Naruto said putting in a Battle Chip, causing Bass to suddenly vanish and appear in a different spot, while the remaining hearts detonated when they hit the bishops.
"I said I don't need your help!" Shouted Bass, glaring up at Naruto, with the whiskered blonde frowning.
"In case you forgot, I'm your NetOp and I'm supposed to help you during NetBattles. Was I just supposed to let you be hit?!" Naruto retorted, making Bass scowl at him.
"I expect you to stay out of my way!" Bass said, swearing he'll throw himself off the edge of the arena if Naruto tried interfering again.
"You look like you need to cool down, this should help! Fan! Aqua Tower! Battle Chips in, download!" Said Mayl, creating a large fan beside Roll that began sucking in the air.
With Bass gritting his teeth at feeling himself being sucked towards the fan as well, before he was lifted off the ground and pulled forward.
"Aqua Tower!" Roll said, slamming her hand on the ground, creating a pillar of water that she launched towards Bass before slamming into the Black Shadow and throwing him back, grunting as he hit the ground.
"Recovery! Battle Chip in, download!" Said Naruto, putting in a Battle Chip, angering Bass further even as he felt his energy being restored.
"What did I say?!" Bass demanded.
"If you won't let me help you fight, then fine! But I'll at least make sure you don't end up being logged out!" Said Naruto, which only angered Bass further that he dared believe he'd be defeated.
"You think I'd lose to someone that hides behind sacrificial pieces?! Explosion!" Said Bass aiming his Shooting Busters at the pieces and unleashed several powerful and fast moving shots.
"Barrier! Battle Chip in, download!" Mayl said, creating a barrier around Roll and her pieces, with it holding against the first few shots before breaking as Bass's barrage broke through it.
"Hell's Rolling!" Bass said, creating four wheels and darkness that sped forward to take the pieces out he didn't hit.
"Drain! Battle Chip in, download!" Said Mayl, putting in another Battle Chip, as four Mosqurito Viruses appeared around Bass.
Before Bass could destroy them, one slammed into his back making him grunt as it drained his energy, with the others soon joining and slamming into the Black Shadow. With each hit draining more of Bass's energy, making it hard for him to stand as he kept losing energy.
"Okay, that's it! Blower! Battle Chip in, download!" Naruto said putting in a Battle Chip, creating tornado of fire around Bass that destroyed the Viruses.
"I…said…I don't…need you're help!" Bass said through gritted teeth, refusing to fall down even with how much energy the Mosquritos drained.
"And I don't care! I'm not going to do nothing when you need help!" Said Naruto, not caring how stubborn Bass is, he wouldn't stand by and do nothing.
"You really should learn to accept some help from your NetOp, otherwise it's just going to end in you being logged out. Like right now! Roll Bla-" Roll said, kissing her fingers and prepared to log Bass out with one last attack, only for the female NetNavi to stop as data flashed across her eyes.
"Mayl! It's almost time for your piano lessons!" Said Roll, seeing the reminder for the redhead's lessons.
*Real World*
"What?! Already?!" Mayl said in surprise that it's already time for her lessons, before giving Naruto an apologetic look.
"Sorry Naruto, it looks like we need to cut the battle short. Time to jack out, Roll." Said Mayl, jacking Roll out of the arena, much to Bass's anger.
"Don't even think about leaving! We aren't done here until the battle's concluded! Get back here, right-" Said Bass, refusing to accept the battle ending now.
"Jack out, Forte. It's fine Mayl, it was a fun battle. You and Roll are definitely a great team." Said Naruto, jacking Bass out before he could finish, not minding that the battle is cut short.
Making the Black Shadow seethe that he was only spared being defeated by what's essentially a timer running out. As no matter how much he hated it, it really looked like Roll was going to beat him if she didn't get that reminder.
"Yeah! That was an awesome battle!" Lan said, impressed at the teamwork Mayl and Roll had, making the female duo smile.
"Thanks guys, it was a fun battle. Hopefully we'll be able to do it again some time, Naruto. Until then, see you guys later!" Mayl said, waving at them as she ran out of the arcade to return home with Naruto and Lan waving as she left.
*Later*
Naruto and Lan had left the arcade soon after parting ways with Mayl, before deciding to head to the park to relax.
"Man I still can't believe how quickly I lost that battle." Lan said as he looked over the damage done to his NormalNavi.
"It was a good battle, no matter how short it was." Said Naruto, making the brunette shrug before laying down on his back.
"I guess. I just wish I had a custom NetNavi, one that's way stronger than this NormalNavi. Since just look at how strong Roll is, when she and Mayl hardly NetBattle." Said Lan, with Naruto nodding at this.
"Yeah, custom NetNavis are a lot stronger, but it doesn't matter how strong they are if the Navi and NetOp can't work together. Which is why Mayl and Roll are so strong, they trust and listen to each other with Mayl helping support her with Battle Chips. Rather than getting angry and believing Mayl's getting in the way." Naruto said while looking at Bass, who simply scowled and grunted in his PET.
"I could've handled it myself if you hadn't kept interfering." Retorted Bass before looking away, with Naruto sighing at the response.
"If it wasn't for me, you really would've lost the NetBattle. Mayl and Roll are in perfect sync with each other, along with having great teamwork with their Chess Pieces. She is DenTech City's Net Chess Champion for a reason." Stated Naruto, with Bass simply grunting again.
"As for you and me, we aren't in sync at all. The battles we've been in have mostly just been you fighting on your own, while I send Battle Chips when it's convenient. That might work against Dex and GutsMan who prefer brute strength over strategy, or against Lan who while skilled still has limitations with a standard Navi. Mayl and Roll are much more well-rounded and work better together than us. Something that let them force us onto a battlefield where they had the advantage." Naruto said, though knew that's only part of the problem.
Until recently, Bass had been a Solo NetNavi and never needed to rely on anyone's help, let alone need it against any opponent he's gone against. So, it's not surprise that when they ended up going against an opponent that can give them trouble, he'd relapse back into that mindset. While the fragile teamwork they had shattered as a result.
'At least it wasn't against a dangerous opponent or an important battle, so nothing was really lost. And hopefully it'll teach Bass we do need to work together rather than him doing everything himself, and to not underestimate others.' Thought Naruto, hoping this'll get through to Bass that they needed to be a team.
Though Naruto's and Lan's attention soon turned towards something flying through the air, only to be surprised when two fish landed on their laps.
"What the hell?!" Naruto said, grabbing the fish as it flopped around on him.
"Where'd these fish come from?!" Said Lan while holding the fish in his arms as it tried escaping, before the two heard someone laughing.
Seeing it was a man with tanned skin, black hair while being bald on top of his head, thick pink lips with a thin black mustache, and dark colored eyes. With his clothes consisting of a long-sleeved blue shirt, green pants, white gloves, white boots, a black apron with a pink fish and three white wave designs on it, and a white bandana with cyan dots on it. While behind him was a bike with a cooler filled with ice and fish.
"You two look as surprised as a couple gophers in a stampede!" Said the man, while Naruto and Lan looked at him in light annoyance.
"Hey, come on Masa, you could've hit us with these." Lan said, not in the mood to hear more of Masa's fish talk.
"Hehehe, sorry about that boys, some of my latest catches are feistier than I thought." Masa said while taking the fishes back.
"It's fine, Masa." Said Naruto as Masa put the fish back in the cooler, before looking at the boys.
"Now what exactly has got you in a mood, Lan? Is this about that game I heard you playing with Dex and lost." Said Masa, putting his hands on his hips, while Lan's eye twitched slightly.
"It's not a game, Masa! It's a NetBattle!" Lan said as he went over to wash his hands at a fountain.
"Yeah, yeah, whatever. Nets are made for fishing ya know." Said Masa, making the brunette roll his eyes.
"It's a different kind of Net, Masa. Where we battle using our NetNavis, sending them into CyberWorld from our PETs." Naruto said while showing his PET to Masa, with the fisherman gaining a calculating look in his eyes for a moment as he looked at Bass, before it quickly vanished.
"I had a pet salmon when I was a youngin', but it wasn't able to do that." Masa stated, assuming that's the kind of pet they meant.
"No! PET, Personal Terminal." Lan said while showing his own PET, making Masa laugh.
"Ohohoho, that kind of pet! My FISH was still more fun!" Masa said with a grin.
"I don't think so. Being able to have your own NetNavi and jacking them in to battle each other is really fun, seeing how they compete against each other to find who's the best." Said Naruto, only to see Masa cleaning his ear with his pinkie.
"Yes, very interesting. But know what'll really snap your chaps?" Masa asked, pulling his pinkie out and blowing off what was on it.
"Fish don't have eyelids." Said Masa, making Naruto and Lan look at him dryly.
Before the three heard sirens making them look to seeing several firetrucks driving by, making them frown at the sight, knowing what it meant.
"Looks like more fires have broken out." Masa stated upon seeing how many trucks there were, figuring that meant there are more fires going on than just one at a time.
"This is really getting out of hand. How many ovens are going to just explode into flames?" Said Lan, wondering when this'll stop.
"Speaking of ovens, I should go check mine! And remember to eat lots of calcium you two!" Said Masa handing some fish to the boys before riding away on his bike, intending to get to work.
"Whatever you say, Masa!" Naruto said as they watched him leave.
"Well…looks like we have dinner for tonight." Stated Lan, with the whiskered blonde nodded in agreement as they began making their way to the Hikari Household.
*Later*
"Really? That's already making ten fires in the past couple of days." Haruka said as she, Kushina, Naruto and Lan sat at the table having dinner, with Naruto and Lan telling them what happened.
"It is getting concerning, especially if it's being caused by the same Virus that started the fire at our house." Kushina said with a frown, not liking how many fires are being started in such a short amount of time.
"We could check your oven, Mrs. Hikari, just to make sure everything's fine with it." Naruto said with Lan nodded in agreement, not wanting their oven to burst into flames.
"Thank you for the offer Naruto, but I called a dealer over earlier today and they said everything was normal and Virus-free." Assured Haruka, having made sure to check if their oven was safe.
"It's still weird how much stuff has been going on lately. Seconds please." Said Lan while handing his bowl to his mother.
"Sure. Oh yeah Lan, a letter arrived for you from dad today. I left it on the counter." Haruka said, getting Lan's attention as he looked at the counter, seeing the letter.
"Snail mail? Not email?" Lan asked, surprised his father wouldn't just send him an email.
"It came all the way from Borneo." Added Haruka as Lan grabbed the letter, feeling some annoyance that his father got to travel around the world while he's stuck in school.
Opening it, Lan's eyes widened in surprise when he saw it was a small disc, before he smiled in excitement that his father remembered their promise.
"Was it a souvenir?" Haruka asked, curious of what her husband sent.
"It's a custom burn disc! This is great!" Lan said before he rushed up to his room, eager to finally have his own custom NetNavi.
"What was that about?" Questioned Bass, unable to help but feel curious of what's so exciting about some disc.
"Lan and his dad made a promise that when Lan entered high school, Dr. Hikari would make him his own custom NetNavi. And it looks like the data disc for it has finally arrived." Naruto replied before getting up and following Lan up the stairs, curious to see the kind of NetNavi Yuichiro made for Lan.
Reaching the brunette's room, Naruto walked in only to see Lan lying face down on his bed, making him frown.
"Was it not the custom Navi?" Naruto asked, with Lan shaking his head as he put his PET back in the docking station.
"No, nothing even happened. It finished downloading and installing to my PET, but then it said it has a secondary download that'll take three hours before it can be used." Said Lan in disappointment, with Naruto looking at Lan's PET to see it was still downloading.
"Well I'm sure it is your custom NetNavi, as I doubt your dad would forget his word about sending one. And given who he is, I wouldn't be surprised if it'd take a while to finish installing your new NetNavi with how advanced and complex he likely made it. Just give it time, I'm sure the customization program will be finished in the morning." Said Naruto, making Lan lift his head, feeling a little better at hearing this.
"You're probably right, I was just hoping if it is my custom NetNavi I'd be able to see it already, not have to wait. But I guess I can wait for it to finish in the morning." Lan said, willing to wait a few more hours to finally have his custom NetNavi.
"Good. Also since I helped you…that means I get the shower first!" Naruto said before rushing out the room to take a shower first, causing the brunette to shoot up.
"What?! No way, I get the shower first!" Said Lan, refusing to let Naruto get the shower before him.
*Later*
After taking their showers and getting ready for bed, it didn't take long for Naruto and Lan to fall asleep, neither of them being aware of Lan's PET lighting up as they slept.
"Your customized program download is now complete. Configuring data now." Said the NormalNavi before bursting into data that soon began reforming itself.
'Just what kind of NetNavi are you?' Bass thought, watching in intrigue from Naruto's docked PET as the new NetNavi began forming, wondering just what kind of Navi it will be.
So, what did you think, good. Yep we see Naruto waking Lan up by pouring cold water on him, much to Lan's annoyance as they start rough housing, only to be stopped by Kushina after a stray pillow hits her, with even Bass being surprised at her anger.
Before we then see them hanging out with Mayl at Sal's shop, with her being "intrigued" to see Naruto now has a NetNavi, learning the cover story he and Bass made, knowing it'll help throw off any initial suspicions, while being curious at the idea Naruto already knows who Bass is and was purposefully looking for him. With Naruto also asking Sal if he'd be able to work part time at her shop, now that he has more free time after finding Bass, which Sal doesn't see any problem with.
Then we see them heading to the arcade where Lan challenges Naruto to a NetBattle, refusing to take no for an answer. Only for the NetBattle to be much quicker than he expected, as while his NormalNavi is faster than GutsMan, Bass showed he's still faster and far stronger, one-shotting the NormalNavi much to Lan's disbelief.
With Mayl and Roll then having a turn, desiring to get payback against Bass for what he said, while proving to be a better challenge than GutsMan and the NormalNavi due to having better speed and the strength to back it up, as well as her and Mayl's teamwork. Gaining the advantage when Mayl puts in her Chess Piece Battle Chips, pushing Bass back, while also shattering the fragile teamwork between him and Naruto.
Though before Roll could win, she gets a reminder for Mayl's piano lessons, ending the match prematurely, much to Bass's frustration he was spared defeat by a timer running out.
We then go to the park where Lan's lamenting his loss, while Naruto tries getting through the brooding Bass that they need to learn to work together, otherwise they won't stand a chance against NetOps and NetNavis with superior teamwork. Before Masa then shows up, subtlely checking Naruto's PET, while pretending to not know anything about NetNavis and NetBattles.
With them then seeing several firetrucks drive by as more fires pop up, leading to Masa quickly leaving, but not before giving Naruto and Lan some fish as they head home as well.
Finally we see Lan receive a letter from Yuichiro, with it being a custom burn disc much to his excitement that it's his custom NetNavi, only to be disappointed at thinking it's not. With Naruto assuring him it's probably just taking a while due to being a more complex NetNavi, while Bass watches in intrigue once the configuration begins, wondering what kind of NetNavi it could be. So, for those that like the story, thanks for your support. For those that don't or at least don't like the direction taken, you're more than welcomed to drop the story. But thanks for giving the story a chance anyway.
Storm out