Chapter 17
Later in the night.
"..." Buchou is angry. She's lifting her eyebrow and she didn't say a single word.
I'm standing in front of her and my face is pale. This afternoon, I played No Man's Sky with my client and ended the evening with it.
"This kind of case has never happened before." Oh yeah, Kiba said something like this with a bitter smile earlier.
"...Senji." The tone of her voice is deep and scary.
"Yes."
"You talked about video games with the customer, and what happened next? What about the contract?" She came straight to the point. I have sweats coming out of me.
"T-The contract became invalid... We played the game till midnight."
"...After the contract, we ask the client to fill in the questionnaire on the leaflet we gave them. We ask the client, "How was your contract with a Devil?". The questionnaire which is filled appears in this leaflet, but..." Buchou shows the paper with the feedback for the questionnaire to me. So there's a thing like that, huh. Devils job are more complex than I thought.
"...[It was fun. It was my first time having a good time like this. I would like to meet with Senji-kun again. I hope I can make a good contract with him next time]... This is the questionnaire filled by the client."
My chest became hot. Morisawa-san... I wasn't able to do anything, but you...
"This is the first time I received a feedback like this. I wasn't sure what to do first. That's why I put on a weird expression because I didn't know how to react to this."
Buchou isn't mad? She has a puzzled expression, but she then smiles.
"But it's interesting. That is certain. There wasn't any Devil like you, but you really are an interesting boy. You might become the number 1 Devil for unexpected things. But remember to do the basics. You make contracts with the clients, you grant their wish, and then you receive the price. Okay?"
"Yes! I'll do my best."
Tuesday, November 8, 2022.
I'm on my way home from school. Normally, I would have stayed to take part in the Maken-ki club activity, but...
"You're still recovering Senji-kun, so you can go home now." Furan orders me.
"Hmm, but it's been 2 weeks now..."
"No buts, rules are rules!"
So here I am, dragging myself home. The heat is back, and it's not even going to last 3 days. What a strange climate change.
Still wanting to enjoy the warmth, I take a long detour. I arrive near the river that divides Fuyuki in two, the Mion River.
As I was about to take a path up towards the dwellings, I saw a child who had fallen into the river, with children panicking all around and no adults nearby. I dropped my bag and jumped into the water, swimming quickly to catch the drowning child.
I managed to catch her and snuggled her up against me. As the current is light, I can easily get close to the edge and bring the child up.
I hear adults and children shouting the little girl's name, as she catches her breath. One of the men reaches out and helps me up.
After thanks and a tearful reunion with the little one, I set off again, but more quickly, as the water is really muddy at this time of year, and I'm covered in dirty water, making me sticky and giving off an unpleasant odor.
"Sen...Senji-kun!" Chiyo holds her head in shock, seeing me come home in this state.
"Um, how to explain..."
"Why is that sort of thing... Are you hurt ?" She grabs my head and nestles me against her, my face in her cleavage. "Were you attacked by a slime creature ? Or were you targered by a crafty, filthy alien insect ? Ahh... You're so pitiful, Senji-kun..."
"No... Um..."
An older sister is someone who worries about their little brother. A little brother is someone who only brings worry to their older sister, at least that's what she thinks. Yet...
"Don't worry..."
I have to be extra careful about the "way i make her worry." because... Chiyo is a demon and she's beginning to transform into a half-human, half-animal hybrid. Black goat's legs and hooves, horns curving backwards on her head...
"Let your onee-san take care of this." She said with her tentacle hair twisting in all directions, like an annoyed cat. "An inferior creature bullying Senji-kun... Hmm... Perhaps it would be enough for hem do endlessly relive their death while envelopped in an imperceptible darkness, hm..?"
"No ! You've got it wrong ! I'm sorry ! I'm sorry !" I try to stop her, grabbing her arm, now black with long, hooked fingers. "I just fell in the river! You've totally, completely misunderstood !"
At my words, she stops and turns her head towards me.
"Ara ? Is that so ?"
I nod and she's back to normal in a flash.
"Oh, geez~ I completely jumped to the wrong conclusion !" She said, regaining her usual innocence. "I'm truly happy that Senji-kun's alright ! But, you need to be careful, okay ? You know, it really hurts me to see you covered in bandages, knowing that you faced a terrible monster, so promise me? Humans die pretty easily, you know!"
"I can't promise you anything, but I'm going to try as hard as I can."
"I know. Anyway, you should go wash up, I'll get your bath ready!"
"Ah no, no need, I'll just rinse outside."
"Outside?"
In the garden, I connect the hose to the water supply. After a few seconds, cold water comes out. Chiyo-san takes it and observes it with great curiosity.
"So this is how you use this snake-like thing ! I thought you would dry it in the shade to preserve it !"
"It's called a hose," I said, wringing out my sweater again.
"Fufu~ The water's snake-like too!" Chiyo-san waved the hose back and forth, enjoying herself like a child.
"Ah, Chiyo-san, if you swing it around like that, you'll get wet too !"
"Kya...?!" too late.
"Ah..."
"Ahaha! It's so cold~" Then she aims the hose at me, spraying me with cold water. "Hah ! Okay~ I'll give Senki-kun's body a deep cleaning~"
"Pwuh- Okay...! Okay ! Just a sec...!"
I push chiyo's hand away and take off my top, finding myself shirtless. Then I take the hose to properly remove all the mud on me, while running my hand through my hair, to remove as much as possible.
(Well, my hair has grown quite a bit, I should think about getting it cut soon).
All the way through my cleansing, I can feel Chiyo-san's insistent gaze on me, she's ogling me completely, I don't dare say anything and continue to clean myself.
"Well, you're pretty good-looking and well-built for someone your age, and then you've got the dragon charm, it's not very strong but it's going to get stronger as the ages go by."
(I don't know whether to thank you or hate you for that).
"Ahah, I think you should enjoy life a little, and all that charm will bring you..."
"Say, Senji-kun..." Suddenly, Chiyo-san comes up from behind, puts her hands on my belly and her tentacles surround me. "Maybe Onee-chan will wash your body for you..."
"Th-that's not necessary... !"
(Please, Chiyo-san, be a little tactful with a teenager!)
"Oh don't be modest~ I'll make you very, very clean, hm...?"
She takes the soap with her tentacles and rubs it until she has enough product, then runs her tentacles all over my body.
Even though i am simply caressed by her tentacles, I'm shivering as if an electric current is flowing through me... I can't build any strengh in my body !
"Fufu~ Senji-kun, you smell like soap..."
"Uwah... Wait- Ah-"
I'm getting light-headed and i can't resist her! I can't speak properly, the words aren't coming out ! She's glued to me, I can feel her breath on my neck, her breasts on my back, her tentacles all over my body.
"Good boy, good boy~" Whispering her words in my left ear.
As the tension builds and my teenage body starts to seriously react to these advances, my gaze falls on one of the bags I've brought back.
"Wait... Chiyo-san, I have something to give you..."
"Huh? Something to give me?" She repeats, stopping her tentacles and peeling herself off me.
I reach into the bag and pull out a bouquet of flowers, which I'd reinforced beforehand so that they wouldn't end up crushed at the bottom of the bag.
"A bouquet of blue flowers?" She takes the bouquet, questioningly.
"Normally I would have offered you some much earlier, for your arrival here and above all to thank you. But a lot of things happened and I partly forgot, and when I thought about it, I said to myself that it would be ridiculous to offer you some so late, so I delayed it even more. Anyway, all that to say thank you, without you that night I would have fallen back into a weary depression... I thought it would suit you, so... I'm sorry, have I overstepped my bounds ?"
When I look at Chiyo-san's face, I can see a genuine smile filled with joy. Holding the bouquet close to her heart.
"I've lived for so, so long, so much that I've stopped counting, but telling me that a flower suits me and offering me flowers as a present... Senji-kun is the very first to do so! Such a wonderful thing happening to me... Thank you." She says, stroking my hair. "I'm really... really happy."
She rests her forehead gently on mine, her eyes closed. A moment out of time, I dare not move, so as not to break this link. Then she opens her eyes, and our gazes meet. Embarrassed, we both look away, but Chiyo-san quickly regains contact.
(Chiyo-san gives off a nice scent...)
Her face against mine, her lips coming dangerously close to mine.
"Senji-kun..." Her cloudy eyes and tender lips... and seductive sigh...
Our lips touch, tenderly, our kiss seems to last an eternity. Never before had I felt such warmth invade my body and mind. For the first time, I was at peace with the world and myself.
The ringing of the doorbell brings us back to reality. The girls are home from school, and I can hear them laughing and talking loudly from where we stand.
We part quickly, still in shock, then Chiyo-san, laughs. A laugh of pure joy. I'm still frozen, still not understanding this feeling that came over me not even a few seconds ago.
"Well then, you'll catch a cold if you stay wet, so go warm yourself up in the bath." Chiyo-san places a towel on my shoulders.
"Huh, ok..."
I pick up my sweater and T-shirt, and move slowly towards the house, still trying to understand this warmth...
Sunday, November 13, 2022.
I'm standing in one of our country's most important buildings, beneath the mountain-carved faces of our founding fathers, the building where the Hokage works. From time to time, he entrusts me with rather well-paid jobs, especially jobs where he trusts no one but me. Even though I know he's doing all this because he feels bad for me.
I finish putting away the last of the documents when I hear the door open. It's the old Hokage, a light-skinned man of below-average height with spiky grey hair and a small beard. He has lines under his eyes that run down to his cheeks, pronounced cheekbones, a few wrinkles, a wart on his left nostril and a few brown spots on his skin. He wears the official uniform consisting of the customary headgear and haori, accompanied by a large red kimono held at the waist with a white belt.
"Thanks again for your help, Senji. Here's your money, sorry again to bother you on a Sunday." The Hokage hands me a paycheck.
"No problem Gramps, after all, if I'm getting paid why would I refuse."
He replies with a smile. The Hokage and I have a very good relationship. So good that the few people who know about our interactions think I'm his grandson. A second man enters the room.
"Senji, you shouldn't talk to the Hokage like that, even if you know each other well." It's Iruka-sensei.
Iruka is a man of average height and build. He has black hair that he keeps in a ponytail, dark eyes and a scar that runs across the bridge of his nose.
"It's okay, Iruka, there's no problem. Have you come to take him home?"
"Yes, his guardian is always worried when Senji comes to see you."
"Ah... I can't blame her, after all I betrayed your aunt and uncle's promise." The Hokage said to me.
"You had nothing to do with it. Anyway, anytime you want Iruka-sensei."
"Okay, on our way, goodbye Hiruzen-sama." Said Iruka as he headed for the door.
"Bye, Gramps, see you next time."
"Yes, take care of yourself."
In the car, I remain silent, staring out the window without really looking.
"Is everything all right Senji?" Iruka asks me.
"Tuesday's check-up on cloning... I already know in advance that I can't do it."
"Don't say that, I'm sure..."
"You know as well as I do, I can't do it, because of him." I say, touching my stomach.
"So you still haven't found a trick?"
"No, in addition to preventing me from using my energy properly, I think my magic circuits are getting in the way too."
"What do you mean?"
"I don't know, honestly it's depressing."
Iruka doesn't answer me. Because he knows that I know why my magic circuits act the way they do, I just can't say it. I don't want to become a lab rat for mages who are a little too curious.
Iruka and I have known each other for a long time; he was already a teacher I had in junior high, so he saw me at my worst. And yet he always continued to support me, despite the fact that everyone was turning their backs on me one by one, including the teachers.
So when I saw him in Kuoh, I was very surprised. Professional as he is, he stayed in his role as teacher throughout, but at the end of class he came to greet me and we had a long chat.
He was hoping that things had changed for me. Yes, on the outside some things have changed. But fundamentally, nothing really has.
Monday, November 14, 2022.
"Well, since tomorrow is testing day, I figured a little test for everyone will do you the world of good." Explains Iruka-sensei, tapping on a glass cube containing the same black liquid as in the orbs.
Naturally, the whole class cries out in outrage. But before intervening, Iruka-sensei looks at me. Discreetly suggesting that this test is to help me.
"Calm down dammit, it's for your own good! Get in line!"
One by one, we pass through to force the liquid to form in the center. Since we did the same thing with the orbs, this should be an easy exercise. But to our surprise, the cube offers much more resistance. I'm still a long way down the line, but the passing students seem to be struggling.
"Don't be fooled by the fact that this is an exercise you've done before. The form is not the same, so not the same way of using your energy to handle it."
"Oh I see! That's interesting!" Says Inaho behind me, looking over my shoulder.
"Hmmm, I've trained just right, this isn't some vulgar cube that's going to scare me!" Usui motivates himself.
"Is that the kind of test you take at this school? I see." Shiria mumbles in front of me.
After several minutes, it is my turn. I place my hand on the cube. I take a deep breath. I've already succeeded with the orbs, so if all I have to do is change the way I use my element, it shouldn't be difficult.
I focus on the black liquids dispersed throughout the cube, then on the center of the cube. My magic circuits activate, in a burst of bright green light, lines appear all over my arm, then spread across the cube, and then, as if it were the simplest thing in the world, the black liquid concentrates in the center of the cube. I passed the test in record time.
"Perfect Senji, next!"
I move over to make way for Inaho. When I sit down again, I look stupidly at my hand, not understanding why it was so easy.
"You know, you've got a knack for pulling off the hard stuff, like your chain projection spells, which is considered something extremely taxing and pointless to do."
(I... I don't know what to make of it...)
Later, as the end of classes approaches and the sun begins to fall, I continue my Maken-ki activities, refereeing a monster duel. And as usual, Usui sneaks off to check out some girls I don't know where. Now I don't make any more effort and just warn Haruko by message, she'll take care of it better than me.
As the duel drags on, because the two keep countering each other, Iruka-sensei joins me and keeps me company for the time of the duel.
"Were you surprised by your success earlier?" Iruka-sensei asks me.
"It seems I can make complicated things easy... I'm not sure what to think..."
"That's one of your many qualities, I guess you could say."
"You speak of quality... All I see are more problems."
Senji, when you finish your job at Maken-ki, how about I buy you a bowl of noodles?"
"It sounds like a good proposal. To Ichikaru, isn't it?"
"Of course."
Ichiraku Noodles is a small restaurant on a shopping street. There are just 5 chairs in front of a bar where you can see Mr Teuchi cooking ramen.
This restaurant is perhaps the most popular in all of Fuyuki, because Mr Teuchi is so passionate and talented that you can feel it in his ramen, even almost artistic, which is the best ramen in the whole country.
Iruka-sensei and I went for the full formula: noodles with char siu, hard-boiled eggs, narutomaki, menma and seaweed.
"Tell me Senji, what brought you to Kuoh?" Iruka asks.
"Why ask the question now?"
"Well, basically I wanted to ask you when we met again. But I preferred to wait and observe you and even read Maken-ki's reports. You're nothing like the Senji I knew in high school. You have an exemplary sense of duty and great courage. You're much more open-minded. What happened?"
I turn my gaze to the stone faces inscribed in the mountain, and look at one in particular.
"Aren't all these qualities the criteria for these men to become Hokages? Aren't these the qualities that made my uncle a Hokage?"
"Yes, but the Hokages also had to be very strong. And your uncle was one of the strongest men of his generation and he made the greatest sacrifice possible, saving the state of Konoha from... you know what..."
"..."
"Do you want to be like your uncle?"
"No, the role of Hokage doesn't interest me, staying cooped up behind a desk isn't what I'm looking for at all."
"And so, what do you plan to do in the future?"
"I'm going to become a vigilante."
"Senji... What happened? You're nothing like the you you used to be. With everything you've been through, that's the last thing I'd ever hear from you."
"Do you think I would have become what they said? A monster?"
"You disappeared shortly after your aunt died. And after all you've been through, yeah I thought we'd lost you at that point."
I finish eating my last noodles, put the bowl and chopsticks on the table. I let out a sigh, wanting to explain, but telling him everything would be a problem. So I decide to simplify the story.
"A man saved me, and took me on his missions around the world. At the time, I basically hated everyone, myself included. I couldn't understand why he saved me. But seeing the misery in the world, the violence and then the courage, strength and kindness of people, that's when I started to change. But it was this man's words that changed everything. He told me it was all right not to forgive people for what they'd done to me, nor to forgive myself, and that I had nothing to prove to them. But... that no matter what, I'm a strong person, and that living the way I want is certainly simple, but it's the best way for me to move forward. And that's why I decided, when he died, to take up the torch of his quest and continue his goal."
"Being a vigilante isn't it?" I nod at his question. He puts his hand on my head and pats me gently. "You are indeed a strong person Senji, he wasn't wrong. And I can't wait to see your development, in any case you have my full support." He says with a warm smile.
"Hmm, sensei ?"
"You want a second bowl of noodles?"
"Um, yes, I'm still hungry..."
"Very well, chief! A second round for both of us!"
"Sure, and I'll give you a discount! On the house!"
"Oh wow that's cool thanks." I reply surprised.
"It's not like you're paying for it. Anyway, since you passed today's training, normally tomorrow's all good."
"No, I couldn't do it. There's something inside me that prevents me from doing anything with my energy other than projection and reinforcement."
"That's the shame of being a mage, isn't it?" he said with a smirk.
"It's a good thing I'm not one. Anyway, at least I know I wouldn't screw up in writing, that's the one thing I'm confident about."
"Oh yeah? and if I were to ask you a few questions, just to see if you know your stuff, would you be able to answer me?"
"Of course." I give him a challenging look."
"Okay, if you get to the end of the questions with a maximum of three mistakes, you pay for the next time, otherwise I will pay.
"Okay I'm in."
"Your ramens are ready, enjoy!"
Tuesday, November 15, 2022.
30 minutes after the written tests, my class and another wait in a large room for two others to finish the technical test. And the class waiting with us is Yuuto Kiba's.
"Hello Senji-kun. Do you feel ready?" Kiba approaches.
"Hi Kiba, I gave it my all on the written tests, I know for a fact I wouldn't pass the technical test."
"Really? Is it related to what happened a few days ago? Even a cloning technique is impossible for you?"
"Yeah, something like that..."
"Huh?! Senji, you traitor! Why are you talking to Kiba?! You've gone over to the dark side, my guy." Usui said dramatically.
"I'd say more on the bright side, compared to you, now put it on the down low, there's some trying to concentrate." Uruchi seems to be in good form.
"Um... Kiba-san, please don't speak ill of Senji-sama..." Inaho asks innocently.
"Ah, no it wasn't like that at all. Sorry I just know Senji-kun has a lot of trouble using his element so I was worried..."
"Ah huh..." Inaho doesn't know what to say.
"It's okay, it's just one of many trials." I answer simply, waiting with some anxiety for the test.
I look further ahead, seeing Shiria surrounded by people apparently delighted to see her in real life. Most of them are from Kiba's class.
After several minutes' waiting, Iruka-sensei emerges from the room and attracts our attention.
"Well... The final test consists of a doubling exercise. Please go one by one to the next room when you are called." He said, calling out to the first student.
Among my group of comrades, I'm the first to be called, and I move towards the door, knowing full well what's going to happen. In front of me are Iruka-sensei and Mizuki-sensei. He has white shoulder-length hair with a slight hint of blue to it and green eyes.
I stand in the center of the room and take a deep breath. All the magical circuits in my body stir. I concentrate and pour out my energy. And in a smokescreen... I... am accompanied by a clone of myself, sprawled across the floor, half alive. I can only sigh.
"Um, Senji you had to create three clones..." Iruka-sensei said.
"I know, to tell you the truth, I'm surprised I managed to create one."
Iruka-sensei sighs in turn, also very unsurprised.
"Iruka, let's at least give him the average, Senji is a very good student. We know he has a lot of difficulty with his magic circuits, and then he still managed to create a clone, I think that seems fair to me." Mizuki-sensei tries to persuade Iruka-sensei.
"I'm sorry but it's not going to be possible Mizuki, I'm not as tender as Minori. Most students have created three perfect clones. Senji only generated one, and he couldn't even stand on his own two feet! In other words, it doesn't count. It's impossible to give him an average."
I leave the room, not at all surprised. And yet, I'm disappointed in myself, in this body, in what I've sealed inside myself.
XXX, XXX, 2016.
That day, an important test had taken place, and everyone had passed, including me. And everyone was happy, including the parents, who were looking for their children at school. Except for me, I was alone.
"Bravo, my son! I'm proud of you!"
"We're men now!"
"Congratulations! I'm going to cook a nice meal to celebrate in the proper way!"
Suddenly, they all notice me, all their looks of hatred and disgust piercing through me. I look down, gripping the rope of the swing tighter.
"Do you see, over there..."
"It's that kid from the book."
"Peuh! How can he still be allowed to go to school. He should be in a mental hospital."
"That's all I need for this kid to succeed in life after what he's done."
"Would miss this brat succeeding in life!"
"Everyone knows he destroyed his family, how is he on the loose!"
"Be quiet! This subject is taboo!"
Unable to bear their words any longer, I hurriedly disappeared.
Tuesday, November 15, 2022
I'd already been confronted with the violence of children my age, but this was the first time I'd had to deal with that of adults, apart from my parents.
After the ordeal, we were free. I decided to go home and lock myself in the shed.
"Hey, Senji!"
I turn around to see Mizuki-sensei calling my name.
We sit on a bench in a park that's empty at this time of day.
"You know, Iruka strictly adheres to the rules. His parents died when he was still a young adult. He grew up alone, left to his own devices. It's this difficult passage into adulthood that has forged his strict and implacable character." Mizuki-sensei explains.
"I understand that, but why is he on my back so much?"
"Hm? What do you mean?"
"He systematically thought I was going to pass today's test, whereas I told him repeatedly that I wasn't. Besides, he's known me for a while now... I know all teachers want their students to pass, but this isn't it. He's not the type to have a favorite either. He was really convinced that I was going to succeed, and sometimes I wonder if he really means what he says..."
"maybe because he thinks you look like him... I think he wants you to be really strong. You too have had a difficult past. You must surely be able to understand how he feels..."
"...Still, all I'm interested in is getting stronger..."
"Getting strong eh? Since you seem so keen on it, I'll give you a golden tip!"
"Huh?"
"At the Hokage master's office, there are writings enabling you to learn techniques and a whole host of other things to become powerful. As you often go to his office to work, that shouldn't be a problem. Anyway, my break is over, so have a nice day nonetheless."
He leaves quickly, giving me one last wave before disappearing. I sit there for several minutes, thinking about what he's just told me.
"You should go and have a look at least, judge whether it's what you need or not."
"Hmm... I guess you're right."
I enter the Hokage's office, employees passing here and there, hardly noticing me. I wanted to politely ask for access, as I always do. But this time the secretary isn't there. Using the duplicate keys given to me by the Hokage, I enter the library. Normally only accessible to a handful of people, I set out to find these writings.
Then after long minutes of searching, in cupboards lost at the back of the library, I find them. Big books, well, they're more like big scrolls, very old. I take just one.
(I'd better use it carefully...)
I leave the office, meeting no one. Strange, I feel like I'm doing something illegal. We can use these scrolls normally, can't we?
Not wanting to go home just yet, I decided to go into the forest, where I could train undisturbed.
After an hour's walk, I've arrived at a suitable spot. I open the scroll and the first thing I read is "Multi-cloning".
(Huh, talk about a coincidence...)
I don't know how long I've been training, but the sun is about to set and I'm sitting down, completely exhausted.
(Well, it's time to go and put the scroll back, frankly it's too complicated for me...)
I hear someone approaching, his shadow cast over me. I look up to see Iruka-sensei.
"I've finally found you, you little rascal!" He doesn't look very happy.
"Good evening Iruka-sensei. Say, you wouldn't happen to have any water on you?"
"Hmm, tell me Senji... You're all bent out of shape. What did you do to get yourself in such a state?"
"Don't worry about it. I tried to learn a technique from this scroll, but nothing I can do, I'm clearly not capable of doing it..."
Iruka-sensei looks surprised, is it so strange to be training alone in the forest?
I stand up and cover the scroll with its protective cover.
"Senji, where did you get the scroll you carry on your back?"
"Hmm? It was Mizuki-sensei who taught me about it. And then he also told me where it was stored." Suddenly his face changes, he looks distraught.
(Did I just do something stupid?)
A whistling sound, not the wind on the leaves, no, something much more aggressive. It's Iruka-sensei who reacts first, pushing me to avoid a rain kunai, which he takes in my place.
"Well done Iruka! Thanks for finding him!" It's Mizuki-sensei, advancing toward us.
"Okay, I'm starting to see it more clearly..." Iruka-sensei removes the kunai from his body one by one, alert.
"Senji, give me the scroll!" Mizuki-sensei turns to me.
I carefully place the parchment behind me, taking up a defensive pose.
"What does that mean, Mizuki-sensei?" Seeing sensei's hostility, I prepare to defend myself, but the truth is I have no strength left.
"Listen to me Senji! Don't give him the scroll! Understand?! It contains very dangerous secret techniques that must not be used! Mizuki used you to get it! He tricked you!" Iruka-sensei explained, trying to quickly remove the kunai still present, which had been pierced through and through.
I fall, morally destroyed.
(Fuck, I'm so naive!)
"Come on Senji, give it to me. There's no point in keeping it. Did you really think I was going to help you, you monster?!"
(Monster...)
This word keeps ringing in my head like a hammer. Suddenly, my body starts to shake, and I try to warm myself by rubbing my arms. But it's not the cold, I turn my gaze to Mizuki-sensei. The same look, a look of hatred, of disgust. A feeling of violence directed at me. My breathing becomes erratic.
"No! Don't do that, things have changed Mizuki!" Iruka-sensei tries to get his attention but, he ignores him completely.
"You really thought you'd escape it by running away, didn't you? Too bad for you, but our past always catches up with us. You remember what happened nine years ago, don't you? Of course you do." He casts a look of contempt at Iruka, then in a theatrical tone... "You killed Iruka's parents and devastated the state of Konoha in the most atrocious way!"
"No... I didn't do it... It's the nine-tailed fox who..." I babble a few words.
"And where do you think the nine-tailed fox demon is? And yes, in you, your own uncle, the fourth Hokage, sealed it in his nephew, making you immediately at fault! It's your wretched family's fault that we're all in this mess!"
"Shut up!" Iruka-sensei...
"And then what joke, your own mother, selling you at the price of a book? It sounds like a bad joke! What a pity, if she hadn't written an auto-biography, no one would have known anything about it, but fate decided to take its revenge on you! Why do you think everyone hated you, harassed you and beat you up?! Even Iruka and your so-called friends actually hate you!"
Mizuki picks up the huge shuriken on his back and starts twirling it, aiming at me. I don't move, I can't move. I've never received love, or at least I have no memory of it, piled up under a heap of hatred. I've always tried to be as out of the way as possible, invisible to everyone, I didn't want any trouble. And even though my family welcomed me into their home, I could see that I wasn't welcome. I shouldn't exist, I'm an infestation that must die. I want to die...
"Open your eyes Senji! Nobody wants you! These are the techniques that were used to imprison you that are recorded in this scroll!"
Why, why do I have to suffer so much...
The shiruken is launched, I've accepted my fate, I leave myself on the ground, ready to be pierced. But that moment doesn't arrive, because it's Izuka-sensei, who takes it instead of me, in the back, protecting me with his body.
"W...Why..." I don't understand.
"You know Senji, after my parents died, I found myself isolated, with no one to congratulate or encourage me... I suffered a lot from this loneliness, so I did everything I could so that young people like you could succeed in life. I want you to become strong enough to prepare yourself for the atrocity of our world, and the danger that awaits us. I know you've been through hell Senji, that's why I wanted you to succeed, I'm sorry to have put an extra weight on your shoulders." Tears begin to flow from Iruka-sensei's eyes. "You must have felt terribly alone too... I know how hard it is. Forgive me Senji, if I'd been a better tutor... you wouldn't have endured all this suffering."
I can't get a word out of my mouth. But my body's starting to work again, I can feel a warmth, a heat that's driving me.
"Hahaha! Too bad Iruka. Senji won't back down, it's too late! You can see the look on his face, he's completely broken, and the fox demon is going to take over and continue what he started nine years ago." Said Mizuki with a smile.
Iruka-sensei removes the shuriken stabbed into his back and stands up.
"Sorry Mizuki, you've got this boy's account all wrong."
"It doesn't matter! Since I'm going to get rid of him once and for all anyway!" Mizuki charges towards us.
A fight between the two sensei begins, but Mizuki has the clear advantage over Iruka-sensei, who is seriously injured.
Iruka-sensei defends himself well, but Mizuki sends him waltzing into a tree.
"Huhuhu, Why are you going to all this trouble to protect this kid? He's your parents' murderer."
"Because I don't want to let a moron like you get hold of the scroll!"
"You're the moron! Whether it's me or Senji who has the scroll it's all the same."
"What do you mean?"
"Whoever masters the techniques inscribed on the scroll acquires immeasurable power. There's no way this demon-fox could pass up such an opportunity to regain his strength! Contrary to what you might think, Senji isn't..."
"Again, you're totally wrong, not with Senji. I'm sure it's not for nothing that we consider him to be one of the best students in the school, along with Minori! He's persistent and consistent in his efforts, while being humble about it. He has already experienced all the afflictions that the human heart can suffer. He was never the fox-demon, he's part of the state of Konoha... and his name is Senji Emiya!"
"Tss Very moving your little tirade." Mizuki looks very annoyed.
"Ourgh!" Sitting against the tree, Iruka-sensei begins to spit blood.
"I've changed my mind, Iruka... I'd said I'd take care of you, after I'd got the scroll back, but in the end I might as well finish you off right away." He equipped himself with a second large shiruken. "Farewell, Iruka!"*
He spins it around and prepares to throw it. I've been waiting for this moment. [BOOST] At the appearance of my red gauntlet, giving me the double of my power, I leaped to get in front of Mizuki, and hit him with my left fist, equipped with the gauntlet. Surprised and out of position, he's sent tumbling a few meters away.
"You'll pay dearly for this, you little vermin..." Mizuki tries to get up, but the blow was much harder than expected.
I feel it, I see it, the energy building up around and inside me, it's not white, it's red. I've used this force before, in uncontrolled rage, but this time I'm fully active, but for how long?
"Partner, I'm going to help you calm the fox's harassment, but don't forget that you're in a very unstable state of feverish agitation, so be careful, don't get lost in its power."
"Good, I'm counting on you."
[BOOST] a second, I feel even stronger, and the energy continues to build.
"Jeez, did you see your face, you freak?! You're so scary! That's it, you're going to destroy Fuyuki?!" Mizuki finally gets to his feet, staggering.
"Try to take on Iruka-sensei again and I'll kill you." My magic circuits activate.
"Im...Imbecile! You shouldn't have interfered! Go away quickly!" Iruka-sensei screams at my back, but I won't move.
"Give me a break! The runts of your kind, I burst them with a single flick!" Mizuki continues to bark.
"We'll see about that." I push my magic circuits, shining a thousand lights through my body, green flashes appearing all around me.
"That's what we're going to see! Bring it on, if you dare, you degenerate fox!" Mizuki tries to provoke me, but I can see he's freaking out.
In a huge smoke screen, a hundred clones of myself appear, surrounding us.
"What... What!?" Mizuki falls in despair.
"So, what do you say? You still think you can blow me away with a flick of your wrist?" We approach him as he shakes like a leaf. But I have no pity for him, just as he had none for me. "Let yourself go, it'll be quicker."
"Gyaaaaaaaaaaaah"
For several minutes, I beat the shit out of Mizuki, until I'd vented enough of my frustration on him.
In the end, my clones disappear, leaving only me standing, Iruka-sensei seated against the tree and Mizuki, lying on the ground, completely banged up. I sigh, seeing his condition.
"That feels good..."
"Pfyuuu, bravo Senji, you pass today's test with the best mark." Iruka-sensei said with a smile.
I turn my head towards him, completely caught off guard.
"Um, isn't that cheating?" I ask stepping closer and extending my hand towards him.
"I don't know what you're talking about." He takes my hand, struggles to his feet and leans against my shoulder. "To celebrate in the proper way, I'll buy you a bowl of noodles! Ouch!"
Okay, that's fine with me, but first you need to see a doctor."
Hello everyone, thank you for reading this chapter! So sorry, I know there are translation errors here and there, but my English isn't perfect, far from it, and there are certain French terms I still can't translate. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed it. The chapter is rather long, I really wanted it to be as I imagined it, and I'm very happy with the result. I also know that the subjects touched on in this chapter are rather heavy, so don't worry, the next chapters will be lighter and calmer, normally. Incidentally, this chapter took me a long time to write - I think it was the longest of the other 16 chapters. I had to finish it last night around 4am. Anyway, thanks again and see you next week.
