"..." Normal chat.
ABC. Thought.
Chapter 14
Being the only one left standing, the melee-type robot has become more aggressive than before and begins to chase after anyone in sight. Utilizing any weapon it possesses in order to bring them down. The way it changes from offensive mode to defensive mode and vice versa is so perfect that no one can get near or find its weakness.
As their stamina are running low from all the dodging and running, the team 7 is starting to get nervous.
"H-Hey, any plan for this one yet?"
Therefore Naruto asks his teammates and they look at each other, completely clueless, before turning to Nina. There, they still seeing her squeezing her brain out to find a proper solution.
Damn... Now that I think about it. Instead of destroying the ranged type first, using its gel attack to get rid of the melee-type then doing so would have made our fight so much easier.
Nina's teeth cringed after thoroughly calculating their situation. Regretting for having made such hasty decision for the team without giving any further thought. I guess there is no choice but to...
"Guys, I still have enough energy to do some normal attack."
Nina suggests to handle the last one single-handed, assuring them that the robot will withdraw the chain saw if she approaches it personally.
"No way! That's too dangerous. I'm not letting you go in there alone!"
However Naruto dismisses the idea instantly, with his reason for not trusting their enemy to strictly follow the rule 24/7. And the others seem to agree with him that it maybe too much for Nina to handle the enemy all by herself right now.
"I also believe that is suicidal. I mean, you can barely walk straight. Nina-chan."
Sakura asks Nina to reconsider her decision but sadly, there is not enough time to do so. Because that robot isn't going to sit in one place waiting for them draw out to a good plan to defeat it.
In the end they've come to conclusion to act as a team. With Nina going up front and the others at the back to act as supporters.
"Is everyone good?"
And on the count of three, everyone charges forward.
As expected, the robot withdraws its saw blade the moment Nina gets near. Using that as an advantage, Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura jump forward to hold its limbs so that Nina can aim and strike without difficulties.
When Nina's dagger is coming close however, the robot does a 360 degrees spin with its upper body and hits everyone out of the way to protect itself.
At result, Both Nina and Naruto are sent flying and slam into a tree. Sasuke lands onto the ground and rolling a few more rounds before finally able to stop himself from going any further. While Sakura falls onto the bushes far away and faints in progress.
"Sakura, are you okay?"
Nina's a few steps away from where Sakura's lying so she crawls toward to check on her. Luckily, the girl isn't in critical condition. Only receives several scratches on her skin and clothes because of the branches.
"Ouch... That's hurt."
Naruto groans out of pain and tries to get up, suddenly his hand touches something metallic lying next to him and cause it to emits a *Beep* sound. Causing him to jump in surprise.
"W-What the heck?!"
Paranoid by the sudden movement and loud mechanical noises, Naruto quickly hide himself behind a tree for protection. After spending almost half a minute making sure everything's safe, he steps out of his cover to look for the source of that strange sound and notices the robotic arm from earlier.
Hey, isn't this belong to the one that has its arm cut off by Nina?
Instead right now it's turned into a sturdy looking long-blade, which those machines have used in attempts of cutting them into pieces back from the beginning.
"What are you standing like an idiot for?"
Getting curious about what Naruto's been staring at for so long, Sasuke approaches him to have a look and upon seeing the weapon lying on the ground, he instantly figures out what his friend is trying to do.
"Hey, Sasuke. Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"
Right now the killing machine is searching for them by scanning every corner with laser. Worry about her friend's life, Nina's trying to drag Sakura to a safer place. Though they won't be able to get much further than they are now since Nina's legs are injured due to the impact from earlier.
Then suddenly, Nina hears Naruto shouting and his footsteps from afar.
"Nina-chan! All we need to do is smash its core, right?!"
Confused, she turns around to see Naruto and Sasuke, together holding a giant blade in their arms and charging with all their might toward to where the robot is standing. Evading the enemy's energy beam attacks coming at them and when they're able to get near. The robot tries to cut them with the round saw blades attached in both hands.
Immediately, both of them crouch to dodge the upcoming blade aiming for their necks and thrust the blade forward. Stabbing it at the middle of its body, through burning core placed inside and shatters it into pieces. Then they both jump out of the way, watching their enemy self-destruct at the spot.
"Good job!"
Needless to say Nina's amazed by their incredible team work, she cheers for their victory as the boys gather at her hiding place. Once arrived, Naruto's greatly concerned once seeing Sakura's lying next to her, unconscious.
"Don't worry, I'm sure she will wake up soon."
Naruto calms down after being assured and takes a seat on the ground. Trying to catch some breath after a stressful battle while Sasuke remains standing.
"Don't you think it's time for you to tell us what is going on?"
Now that they've stepped too deep into this mess, to the point almost risking their lives to rescue her. Therefore providing info about it would be the least thing she can do for them.
Only then Nina finally opens her lips to explain. "As you guys have already seen, I am their primary target. But the reason is still unknown to me."
Soon they're informed that those robots come from the same place as hers. Somewhere really far away from here, far out of reach to anyone. But thanks to their owner possessing high level of technology, it can be covered easily.
By using a quick transport device that they have created to get them to anywhere they want. And that is the black hole which everyone has seen earlier.
"I have almost to no memory about my past. Best I can remember is that I was adopted by Ryu nii-sama at eight years old. And I started living with him and the others ever since."
Nina apologizes for not capable of providing any more details. Though Naruto insists that Nina's done her best and she should not to stress it. Since there's still a lot of time for them to get to know more about each other, and if possible, he would like to help Nina to discover the truth with her someday.
Sasuke doesn't say much in this but he seems willingly to follow with Naruto's long term plan. Also not forgetting to comment about the whole thing better be worthy of his time. Although Sakura has yet to awake to be able to express her opinion but they both are quite confident that she's going to join as well.
However, Nina finds it may not be the case for them. When Chuunin exam is coming close and dragging a few hundred of dramas along with it.
Everyone from then on will figures out their purpose and will have to focus on their own paths. That's why I do not want to become a hindrance to them.
Though she can hold onto her plan until the story to come to an end to ask for help. But Nina doubts that she will have enough patience to wait until then...
"Thank you, Naruto, Sasuke." Still, Nina's grateful and thanks them for their kindness.
As today's story is settled, for now. The only thing left is go home to get some rest, but bringing Sakura home while still being unconscious will draw unnecessary attention from others, they have no choice but to wait until she's awake to get inside the village.
However Sasuke insists them to carry her home. Cause there's a chance that Sakura will wake up soon. And if she doesn't, they can wait outside of the village's gate as it's still safer than staying in the middle of a forest.
It's not until afternoon and half their way toward to Konoha's gate, Sakura regains her consciousness. Finding herself being carried on Naruto's back and having Nina, Sasuke walking by their sides. Everyone is talking to each other, discussing perhaps, and they all look quite worn out.
As Sakura's about to call them, she hears Sasuke's voice. And he seems to be asking Nina about something.
"It's not just consuming Ki, is it?"
A little lost by his question at first but Sakura quickly catches up with their ongoing topics. She glances at Nina and sees the girl nods in response.
"You're right, it isn't."
Figures that she can no longer hide from them, Nina confesses. "I truly do not know what this power is about, or how I get it in the first place."
All she knows that once activating, it enhances all her senses and abilities greatly, double or triple. Perhaps even more if she's willing to give it all.
"However, it comes with a price."
Which is that her Ki will be emptied within seconds once using, just as they have witnessed. If going over limit, this technique will consume her stamina as replacement and lastly, her own life.
"Life?!"
Everyone's shocked. And they're starting to figure out why Nina's become extremely weak after using that power. It must have gotten to second stage and eaten up most of her stamina. Leaving Nina in a temporary immobilized state. Her body's temperature reaches abnormally high during the progress is also considered a side effect.
"Still, using your own life as a source of power?!" Naruto's the first one voice out his objection about this crazy technique. "That's too much! You have to get rid of it!"
However Nina refuses to do so. "Impossible, I cannot get rid of something that is already a part of me."
From the beginning Nina has felt that the more she's abusing her power, the closer she is to understand it. And if she can figures out how it works and why it exist in her body, that means there will be hope in searching for her origins. Just how can I let such good opportunity slip away?
"I agree with Naruto about that technique is dangerous. Nina-chan."
Sakura also expresses her concern that Nina's taking her life too lightly. However, it seems that her words don't reach to Nina's heart but going through an ear to another. And from that moment, they realize that Nina becomes extremely stubborn when her special power is involved.
Once reaching to the Konoha's gate, Nina asked them to keep what happened today as a secret. Expressing her concern about not fancy gaining more complicated troubles than she already had.
Going through the gate, team 7 acted as normal as they could to prevent gaining any attention from the guards. Luckily Kakashi was still nowhere in sight, as it would be one hell of a problem to explain to him why they're injured, also wandering outside of the village on their own without permission.
Since everyone's exhausted and probably overwhelmed by the incident, they decided to part their ways and call it a day. Or so Nina thought how their plan was suppose be.
Nina's apartment, Fourth floor.
"Nina-chan!"
As she's about to open the door to get in, Nina hears Naruto's voice calling for her from behind and she turns around. Seeing the boy is now standing before her.
"I really don't want us to fight because of my affairs. Please, stay out of this. Naruto."
Doesn't wait for him to talk as she clearly knows his reason for coming here, Nina speaks. Also asking him to go home and give it a rest.
"So that you can just jump around risking your life recklessly? That's not going to happen!"
Naruto's raged and knowing his personality, he's not going to give up on persuading her from now on. However that isn't going to make Nina back down, even for a little.
"How I am going use my power is none of your concern, Naruto."
Nina turns away, avoiding eye contact. Because if she looks at him any longer, god knows what more hurtful things she's going to say to him. As the innocent face and those deep blue eyes of his, have already been painted with disappointment and sadness.
However... Nothing can change my mind or stop me now, not even Ryu, and it's definitely not you. Naruto.
"What do you mean it's none of my concern?! You are my friend and I care for you!"
Naruto's hand clenches into fist. Almost to the point pleading her to reconsider, however it seems that Nina's already made up her mind, from a long time ago.
"...And as a friend, I'm asking you a favor."
Nina says, her voice is as calm as ever as she steps into her room.
"Don't get in my way."
Those are her last words before she closes the door and locks it right before his face, ending their conversation within a heart beat.
The next morning.
Nina's room.
Still not recover from the last battle, I have no choice but to stay in bed until be able to walk properly again. So it's either crawling or hugging the wall just move around the room to get something I need.
After what happened yesterday, I couldn't bring myself to sleep. Whenever recalling to Naruto's face when he's being told to go away, I couldn't help but feeling guilty. But it's already too late to turn back.
I know that I need to apologize to him, it's just that I don't know when should be ideal. And what I afraid the most is that if Naruto brings that topic up again, which he probably will, we're only going to end up arguing even more.
Ugh... What should I do?! If only Momiji is here to give me some advice. Since she's always good at dealing with these kind of stuff.
If only I can create the portal by myself and calling her here to help me solving difficult puzzles. Though I bet if that really happen, Momiji will be so amazed by this world that she can't stop jumping around. Start making friends with everyone or even cooking them food and stuff. Then eventually forget why she's here in the first place.
Since Momiji has also been a fan, loving this series as much as I do.
Wait a minute...Portal? Now that reminds me... When first activating it back through a weird looking machine at the lab, it's still a prototype and couldn't be controlled probably. And I was quite sure that none of those robots could create a portal by themselves. Not until now...
To be honest, I was surprised when seeing them actually creating one. I seriously had no idea.
This is the proof that they've been upgraded, in order to capture me from another dimension and almost turning this world upside down in progress if not being prevented in time.
That time, I was lucky that the robot was still function like their old models.
If they become too advanced and their codes are to be changed by whatever reasons. I won't be so sure about being able to keep my own life, talking about protecting others.
Yesterday I had no choice but to destroy the enemies completely without having a moment to look into them. As our situation was too critical and if I didn't act fast, everyone would have been dead by now.
Back then, I had hoped that everyone didn't come to rescue me. Not only it's too dangerous for them, but also those robots... they could turn out to be my ticket to go home.
Surely the team 7 was not the one to blame. It was me who's being way too careless. If I didn't mess up and acted alone, things would have turned out so much better. No one would be making a fuss about how I use my power, Naruto and I wouldn't have to fight either.
And more importantly, I would have already returned home by now. Instead of sitting here alone regretting the outcome.
Lying on my bed while cleaning the twin daggers, which have gotten quite dirty from the last fight, I let out a sigh. Getting nervous about the gloomy future waiting ahead of me. My mind is a total big mess and my body isn't really helping either...
Suddenly there are several knocks on my door, interrupting my train of thoughts and seconds later, I hear Sakura's voice. "Nina-chan, we're here to visit. Can we come in?"
"Sure. Come on in."
I response to her call and the doorknob's slowly turned, appearing right behind the wooden door are the three familiar silhouettes. Naruto on the right side of Sakura, who is carrying a fruit basket in her hand, and Sasuke is on her left.
Therefore Sakura puts the basket on the table and since there aren't enough chairs around, they decide to sit on my bed to talk.
As soon as she sees the twin daggers lying in my hand, Sakura asks. Recalling how I always carrying these weapons beside me despite barely using them for anything. Except for yesterday, of course.
"They seem important to you."
I nod in response, admiring the shiny blades before me. "These daggers are a gift from someone very dear to me on my birthday."
Whenever feeling lonely, I always take these daggers out just to stare at them, sometimes for even hours. Cause they reminds me of the happy memories from the past, when I was still enjoying my little carefree life with everyone back home.
And suddenly Sakura lowers her head a little. Apologizing to me for having ruined it in the battle against the robots. "I'm sorry, it's because of me that..."
"It's not your fault. Sakura."
If I minded about the dagger being damaged, I wouldn't have suggested trying it to begin with. Beside, if Sakura wouldn't use the dagger to finish the fight, I would. Sometimes things were bound to happen no matter how much you wanted to avoid it.
"As long as I keep the dagger staying inside the sheath, its blade will heal. Though the progress is quite slow but it's better than nothing."
Therefore I explain that my twin daggers are crafted from a recovery rune which can be found in my town. The name works exactly like how its called, recovering and healing. And both of my daggers along with its sheath are a set.
Everyone's surprised after hearing the story. Sakura's face brighten up almost immediately.
"Really?!"
