Fall is here and here we are with the latest update for A Certain Maelstrom of Misfortune!
NeoShadows back at it again and happy to have some content for you patient bastards.
Honestly, don't have much to say at the moment. Just returned to work last month and I'm just happy to be back to a familiar routine. Only real changes are the cementing role of Manager the boss has been working on training me in, so I'm busier than normal and come home later at night. Busy, busy, busy. But I can still relish my days off and catch up on writing when I can.
It really is hard being an adult who has to juggle work, family, a love for playing video games, reading, and writing, all at once. And people question my need to mix coffee and alcohol together; God bless the Irish.
So, let's get to those reviews and get to devouring the latest chapter with gusto!
123ABIR123: Hey, as long as you continue reading and reviewing, you know I'll keep delivering!
Majin Othinus: I ain't saying nothing on the subject of such topics. For all you know, she's still stuck in the original world. Or not. Or yes. Or no. I don't know. And of course, the Kami-yan's shenanigans will continue without a drop of misfortune to be missed in a new world.
KingAllen: Yeah, separating those two is probably not the best thing to be done. Kamisato may be screwed both ways to Sunday. We'll just have to wait and see what the results will be.
Shiroyuu012: I've said it before and I'll say it again; fight scenes are my absolute favorite to come up with and write. It's one of the main reasons why I even began writing in the first place. I love it even more when I'm writing for Touma since most of the scenes involving him when it comes to fighting are a lot more technical and observant than what you would find in other works. Glad you like how terrifying Zabuza came off to Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura; the Demon is a legit boogeyman wielding a giant ass sword, so of course he would scare young children even if they're trained as ninja. It's going to be interesting to see how Touma will have to deal with the new category of supernatural enemy he encounters in this new world; Ninja: figures who wield supernatural power to cast various techniques that bend the rules of the world to thier whim while possessing high physical traits which can reach into Saint-Level of comparisons. Imagine Breaker will be a bit more frightening to these ninjas when compared to magicians and espers due to how largely dependant they are to chakra in regards to their health.
: My love for fight scenes can clearly be seen in my own work, of course. And this little dance was only the first half of Kamijou Vs. Zabuza of The Mist. Plus we have more action to see before the final showdown! As if Touma's misfortune would give him even a few days of rest before a big battle; the very thought! When coming up with the fight scenes, I had to be careful not to take away from some of the important 'cogs' of the original scene involving Team-7 and Zabuza. I had to mesh everything together to make it seem natural and not just jammed in for convenience sakes, so I hope I did well on my part of keeping the original intentions and thoughts in place while mixing some new elements. One of my favorite things to write from here on out will be the reaction of all those who come into contact with Imagine Breaker's nigh OPness against chakra. You don't really see a negation ability like that until Pain years later and even then I believe he was draining chakra and jutsus, not erasing them. Hell, imagine a certain Snake sanin's reaction against such a power. I've already come up with how Touma's is to be played into the series and I really like what I came up with in regards to how he would find a place in this new world; it really does suit him in a way while leaving him as the ordinary boy he is, plus takes advantage of all the crazy situations he's come into since his birth. I've also been carefully working on how to have him keep up with these new 'magicians' in the future which will interplay with a certain murky subject he doesn't wish to touch on. Oh, there are to be much more fun fights and interactions to come; don't you worry. Just wriggle about in the net like the good little fish you are!
TazalTerminals: Kamijou Touma; a boy as normal as can be but just as frightening as can be. What you make of him depends on your own experiences with a boy who can shatter the illusions of even gods but fail to stop a young Sister from hitting him with flying bite to the head. Be ready for more fight scenes to come; as if the high school boy is done being bloodied! Writing Naruto annoy the shit out of Zabuza with his army of clones was one of my favorite changes to the original fight, for sure. As for the Disease working on fem-boys; not here at least, thank god.
ConnivingG: Glad you liked the fight. One must never forget that Kamijou Touma is a normal high school boy; he is, by no means, a 'real' combat expert. He is just a normal guy who gets caught up in various violent confrontations and survives. We'll actually touch upon that in due time though as it will come into play regarding his 'nature' and what others who are far more wise, observant, and adept in fighting realize about said boy. Also glad that I didn't take away from the original shining moments from Team-7.
Hongduc-08: Oh, that's a subject for the future, for sure.
Zerofire210: Happy to have ya on board this little adventure I'm concocting. The reason why I chose this specific point in the timeline was due to it giving me more control over how I want things to play out in the future. I understand those problems ya bring up as I have come upon them too when looking for fics. Don't worry, you won't come across them here. I started off Index with he Anime too before I got to the Light Novels which did a hell of a lot of helping me to understand his character and inner thoughts better than the anime ever could. And I will be spoiling things from here; just a fair warning. And that's the fun part right here; how will the ninja world react to the involvement of one normal high school boy being plopped up in their bloody and violent system? Especially in regards to the Kami-yan Disease!
JohnNotWick: I'm glad I got ya to making an account for my sake of reaching a hundred! Really do appreciate the effort as I was the same too when I began reading fanfiction years ago. This current story was a passion project of mine that I was working on during the quarantine in my state, so I'm happy you're enjoying it for all the work I put into it. And yeah, I'm the same with loving the interactions between characters in a story than anything else. Even though I'm back at work and will have less time to work on my stories, I'll do my best to update when I can, so long as people like you await me!
Alright, reviews are done and now we get to the good part! Get to scrolling!
Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to A Certain Magical Index or Naruto. Both rights are reserved to Kazuma Kamachi and Masashi Kishimoto respectively.
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaand, once again, I've been sucked into another Gacha game as of late. God damn Genshin Impact! A game with styles of Breath of the Wild, fun combat, a big world to wander into aimlessly, and waifus?! I was defeated in less than an hour of meeting Amber and her lovely thighs.
If a game has jiggle physics than why wouldn't I lose myself in it?
...Stop staring at me, you equally degenerative bastards! I know for a fact that if you've played this game that you've been taking advantage of whatever angles you can find to peek under Lisa's robes! A degenerate knows a degenerate because I've done it too!
Chapter 4: The Land of Waves.
Those_Without_HEROES.
Not a word was said.
Faster than anyone could have reacted, twin needles thinner than the eye could perceive as only flitting silver glints slipped into the muscles of Zabuza's neck with deadly precision. Various muscles, veins, and tendons were sliced cleanly. In the time it had taken to breathe, the needles hit their mark and stilled the Demon's breath in one fell swoop. Hardly a sliver of blood could be seen from the needles entering his neck, speaking of the attacker's skill. He didn't utter any indication of suffering or being taken by surprise. His eyes had only widened to the point everyone had seen the veins in the white of his orbs streaking a deep red like crimson vines before he fell to the ground.
There was no dying gasp.
No last breath.
Just the sound of a heavily battered body hitting the sopping earth and a splash of a corpse in a muddy puddle.
Before anyone could move, Kakashi had reacted via Shunshin a moment later, reaching the body of Zabuza with his finger placed on the freezing wet neck. He frowned at the lack of a pulse and the cold creep over the man's wet heavily wounded skin. The muscles below the gray skin were taught and thicker than normal.
"He's dead."
Touma grit his teeth at the news.
"Who...who the hell did this?" he growled.
"Well, that would be me, of course. It is, after all, my duty to dispose of Momochi-san myself."
Perched above the thick branch of a nearby tree, the assassin spoke up freely to Touma's ire. The elegant, soft, and low timber of the stranger's voice was enough to identify the gender of the killer as a male; a young boy that Touma would have guessed to be around the same age group as himself. His outfit consisted of a pinstripe outfit reaching his knees, a green haori with white trimmings, and a brown sash around his neck. His face was hidden by a creepy porcelain mask with thin eye holes, a red wave-like design, and an odd set of wavy lines on the forehead reminding Touma of the leaf design on the shinobis forehead protectors. To finish off his appearance, his dark black hair was tied back in a white bun holder, leaving only two long bangs to fall beside his masked face.
Said mask stranger bowed their head at the shinobi below.
"I am rather grateful for your assistance thus far. Had I faced such a monster myself, I would have been hard-pressed to finish him off without sustaining a grave injury as well. He is known as The Demon in The Mist after all; one must not take such an enemy lightly." the masked shinobi explained from his perch, tilting his head at his observers like a curious bird, "I had been trailing him for some time now when I noticed he had suddenly moved and attacked a wandering group of shinobi and civilians. As to not reveal myself, I decided to let matters be and wait for my time to strike. I hope my interference didn't upset you, especially when you were readily allowing my target to escape my grasp."
"Target?" Touma spat to the silent amusement of the masked boy.
"You're a Hunter-nin, correct?" Kakashi deduced upon recognizing the white mask, "One from Kirigakure no Sato if I'm not mistaken. That explains why you would kill Momochi-san without warning."
"Hunter-nin? What's that?" Naruto spoke up cautiously, eyeing the masked boy around his age anxiously. Just the sight of someone close to his age, killing a monster like Zabuza so nonchalantly, rubbed him the wrong way, "In fact, who the hell are you?! What's going and why are you butting your nose in our business, to begin with?!"
"Calm down, Naruto. Believe me when I say he's not our enemy." Kakashi explained as he removed his fingers from Zabuza's neck.
The masked boy nodded with a glance at the anxiously sweating blond in gaudy orange.
"Indeed. I am a shinobi of Kirigakure no Sato, a member of a tracking unit of ninja responsible for hunting down criminals, missing ninja, and traitors belonging to our village. Our responsibility lays in disposing of such threats however we can; in short, we are assassins whose sole purpose is to eliminate those whose existence may threaten our home. By whatever means necessary we dispose of those who would pose harm to our home with the secrets they contain in their bodies."
Using a wind-based Shunsin, the masked boy reappeared at Zabuza's side in a swirling breeze. It took him no effort to heft the large corpse over his back.
"I once again thank you shinobi for your help in taking care of such a vicious criminal. Now my people can rest easy in the knowledge that such a demon has been silenced. I would be ever so pleased to return the favor in some way but I must be off to dispose of the body properly. Even dead, his body may pose harm to our village. A great deal of secrets can be dug up from even a corpse if one is skilled enough."
Showing no discomfort at the bloody, bruised, and chilling figure he carried over his back, the masked boy was ready to depart with another Shunsin.
He paused, his masked gaze turning towards the discontent frown on Touma's face. The masked Kiri-nin titled his head strangely at the visible emotions on the unhappy dark spiky teen riddled with various wounds.
"Are you...unhappy with this man's death?"
The boy's soft voice betrayed his cold profession as he seemed curious about the teen's response. For whatever reason, the masked boy waited patiently while Touma grit his teeth, shutting his eyes as his shoulders trembled.
"Of course. Even if that bastard was a cold-blooded killer, it doesn't mean I can find any joy in seeing anyone killed. I...I just can't find any reason to end things so abruptly. Especially when all this could have been settled by capturing him. But..." Touma exhaled tiredly, his eyes parting to reveal a conflict with his own ideals, "At the end of the day, he's dead. If you're from his village than it's already been decided by your system of law and order what Momochi-san's fate would be for his crimes. He's a murderer, a man who's left behind who knows how many dead at his feet, and responsible for the loss of smiles on someone's face for his crimes; he made his bed and you forced him to accept it no matter how much he'd refuse to lay in it. I'm not a shinobi, I'm just a lost traveler who has no idea how any of this ninja business works. So, I can't agree with such a decision nor can I argue it without understanding why I'm so pissed off!"
The tone of Touma's voice spoke of a deep sense of irritation, anger, confusion, and conflict with a matter viewed as black and white to all those standing by.
Was killing Zabuza really the right choice? Couldn't they had solved this problem simply by defeating the already severely wounded swordsman instead of killing him in cold blood? Was there even a trial to arrive at such a judgment?
Without knowing anything of this new world Kamisato had exiled him to, Touma couldn't rightfully argue with the decision already made and completed in regards to a bloodthirsty demon. Still, he couldn't help but find anger in what he had seen. No matter what he appeared to seem as to those who had witnessed him fighting such a high-level boss with only his fists, he was still just a civilian; a high schoolboy. Seeing even a criminal die in front of his eyes wasn't going to sit well with him.
What was done, was done. Attacking the masked boy wouldn't do any more than spark another fight.
Zabuza was dead.
Nothing more could be done or said to change that conclusion.
The masked Kirigakure shinobi continued to stare at Touma oddly, putting him on edge before the soft boy's feminine voice spoke.
"You are indeed an odd one. Such compassion is rather alien in my line of work that I couldn't help but be intrigued. I can't tell if such emotion is a strength or a weakness, especially if such words and actions can only lead to the demise of a ninja."
Chuckling, the masked boy formed a one-handed seal as he addressed those shinobi one final time.
"Your battle is over now. It's been pleasant meeting such promising ninjas and I wish for your success in your mission. Now I must take my leave to rid the world of this man's body to ensure our village's secrets are never discovered."
A whirl of wind and leaves signaled the Kiri-nin's departure, taking with him a terrifying demon's corpse.
[-]
It was over.
With the fall of a demon, the battle on the bank of the lake among mangroves was finally over, allowing a calming silence to soothe the faint foggy battlefield littered with puddles and scarred muddy earth
Touma flinched as his muscles relaxed, unconsciously stumbling back as he ground his teeth with a hard clench of molars. Since the fighting was surely over with, his body decided to speak up about the addition of injuries he had collected and needed to take account of. Numerous aches, stings, welts, cuts, and sores attacked him from all directions, free to speak their part without the numbing effect of an adrenaline high protecting him. Along with the aches came a sickening headache that made him want to puke as the world swayed like he was on a rocking boat.
He was exhausted, in pain, wet, filthy, and incredibly cold due to his damp clothes sticking to his skin.
'So, my first day in a new world consists of being lost in a labyrinth of trees, punching an assassin who was attacking a cute pink-haired girl and old man, being tied up by a one-eyed scarecrow, and having to fight a cleaver-wielding ninja regarded as a Demon. Considering my shitty luck, it fits the par with what I should have expected.'
No, seriously, his misfortune stubbornly dictated he wouldn't find a pleasant welcome to a new world.
In fact, hadn't he already been through such a similar experience when he found himself in a world that used massive weapons called Objects two months ago? Or was that a weird dream he had from eating on the verge spoiled meat he got at a very discount price coupled with watching a new anime Index had been excited about? Could this poor Kamijou-san catch a damn break?
"Such misfortune."
"Are you alright, Kamijou-san?"
Appearing from behind, Sakura addressed Touma with concern as she noticed his pained expression as he held his face. Out of the corner of his eyes, he noticed Kakashi speaking with Naruto, hearing mentions of how the blond shouldn't concern himself with Kiri-nin's strength at his age.
Touma smiled despite the blood, bruises, and dirt on his face, waving off the young kunoichi's concern with a bruised, cut, and red smeared hand.
"I'm alright, Haruno-san. Just a little tired from this high-level event is all. This Kamijou-san has been through far worst after all." Weakly laughed the average boy who appeared as if he'd collapse at any moment.
Sakura was skeptical given that Touma was far more wounded than the rest of them going into the fight with Zabuza. She would know seeing as she had aided Kakashi in patching the boy up when she had knocked him out. Without any drugs to relieve the pain he was surely experiencing from a stab wound to the foot and a gash on the back of his head, he must have been in pain during the entire ordeal. Add on his current injuries and it was honestly a surprise he was still conscious.
"Keeping up a tough front, are ya, Kamijou-san?" Old man Tazuna laughed boisterously, clapping the wincing teen on his back. No longer was he the cowering adult protected by children, having gained his energy back as he grinned thankfully at those who defended him, "I respect that but you've got to take care of yourself. Unlike these brats, you don't seem to be a shinobi, and yet you're the one who's walked out with more blood on his face than a Jonin! Just look at your face! You're not going to attract any ladies with an ugly mug that bashed up!"
"Getting girls to like me is the furthest thing on my mind right now, Tazuna-san. With all the troubles I'm usually caught in, I don't think I could handle such a Final Level Boss coming into my life."
"Bah! You're still young, Kamijou-san! Hell, I'm sure there are a few girls out there who find your bloody face attractive!"
"Please steer me away from such girls, Tazuna-san! Yandere's may seem cute and easy to catch, but such stalkers and killers aren't the ideal types for me! Find me a caring and doting Dorm Manager Onee-san with big breasts and then we'll talk! Any mature woman fit to take care of idiots and children is what I'm looking for!"
"I have a daughter who's twenty-nine years old with a kid? Would she fall into your tastes?"
"What kind of father are you?! I ought to slug you in the name of your own daughter for pimping her out to some stranger, you old fart! Apologize! Apologize to that caring single mother who has to deal with such a useless old man who casually brings up her age like he was revealing today's weather to a passerby!"
"Eh? Who you call useless old man, punk?! I'm the savior of this village! Besides, my fine little girl would be wasted on a punk! Just look at you, you don't look any different than a delinquent!"
"You wanna go, old man!? Because this so-called delinquent isn't so respectful to a pervy old man to not punch their face when they need it! As I've explained before; Kamijou-san adores big breasted Onee-sans! Kaa-sans are an entirely different archetype!"
"They're both the same, ya moron! A Kaa-san is simply the final evolution of an Onee-san after all! Therefore, my lovely daughter is the greatest Onee-san/Kaa-san a punk like you would ever have the hope of being coddled by. Not like I'd ever allow my precious daughter to so much as look your way!"
Any concern Sakura had was thrown out as she dully gazed at Touma and Tazuna butting heads, arguing over another like barking dogs. Her eye twitched at the stupid words escaping both older figures flapping mouths with violent threats. The image of the strong, firm, heroic teenager who's very back made her heartbeat pound quicker than usual was utterly shattered.
What happened to the heavily injured teen who was ready to fall to his knees if she so much as poked his arm? Where had this sudden jolt of energy come from to allow the boy known as Kamijou Touma to get up in their client's face with the intention of putting Tazuna in a headlock? Dorm Manager Onee-san's? Kaa-san's? Archetypes? Big breasts? Was she really registering these words correctly?
Just what kind of lost traveler had they picked up?
A moron, surely that was the kind of person they had taken in. What else would you call a teenage boy who picked a fight with an ex-Kirigakure shinobi who was feared as The Demon in The Mist? Did he even have a brain in that head of his? She wanted it back; she wanted back whatever faint maiden like emotions she had felt for such a moron who saved her life!
Kakashi pinched the bridge of his nose at the racket replacing the violence of moments ago. He had his own questions regarding the boy who was now starting a fight with their client after surviving a fight with a B-rank shinobi. Such questions would have to wait until they all lead Tazuna back to his home.
"Alright, let's settle down now. We're still in the middle of our mission, one that's only just begun. Now that we've cleared that rather nasty speed bump, we'll return to escorting Tazuna-san back to his lovely family so he can rest up and prepare for his plans for his bridge."
Tazuna grinned back at the veteran shinobi as he patted Touma's back rougher than necessary, causing said boy to cry out with a teary glare, "That's right, brats! You still got a job to do, so let's stop dawdling and get this master bridge builder back home. You kiddies can at least rest up and lick your wounds in the comfort of my lovely family's household!"
Rest sounded pretty good right about now, Kakashi surmised as he nodded up at the jovial old man.
Kakashi blinked at the sudden difference in height.
Wait, wasn't he taller than everyone else in the group with Touma coming in second by an inch or two? Why were his eyes facing up? In fact, why was there dirt tickling his nose?
"Kakashi-sensei!"
Oh, he was laying on his side on the ground, huh? When did that happen? Did it have anything to do with his body aches and fatigue hitting his body all at once like a sledgehammer?
'I suppose I was using the Sharingan longer than usual; not to mention the last jutsu certainly cost me a hefty chunk of chakra to fire. It's been some time since I had to stretch that old muscle against an enemy. Stands to say that I won't be able to budge an inch in my current state. I'm lucky to not have collapsed when Kamijou-san's creepy right hand shut off my chakra.'
How humiliating, collapsing in front of his own students. As the shinobi in charge of their growth, he shouldn't be revealing such weakness. Even if he had just dealt with such a deadly adversary, it was his responsibility to teach them to remain standing after such battles.
His vision grew blurry at the moment as his body reached its limit.
Seems the last few years as a regular old jonin instructor had made him grow a bit soft when compared to his time as an Anbu.
"It's alright, Hatake-san; I got you."
Someone had realized leaving a heavily exhausted man to lay flat on the muddy ground was not the wisest choice. A set of hands grabbed him, lifting him up until Kakashi's entire weight rested on their broad shoulders as the helpful person grunted deeply.
To his surprise, it was Touma who had moved to help the older shinobi up to carry him over his own wounded back. The weight pressing down the dark spiky-haired boy made him wince but he pressed on with a slightly strained grin.
"You've done more than enough for the rest of us by keeping that demon off our backs. So, how about I worry about the weight that you're carrying until we've made it to Tazuna-san's place. It's the least I can do for taking in this random Kamijou-san off the street."
Without the strength to argue, Kakashi relented as he nodded before his single visible eye slowly shut.
He'd been kicked in the ribs, locked up in a prison of water to slowly drown under its crushing pressure, abused his Sharingan to its limits and fired up a tremendously draining water jutsu, and been punched in the liver. Adrenaline had been the sole reason he had continued to stand after the battle was over but it hadn't decided to stay. Even if he was jonin, a master of over a thousand copied techniques, an ex-Anbu, he was still human.
At least he could pass out knowing his adorable little genin were in good hands.
As strange and questionable the boy known as Kamijou Touma was, Kakashi had at least come to realize he was trustworthy. After fighting to protect his team against a wanted missing-nin, the lost traveler had come to gain a positive light in his eyes. Until he regained his strength, he would just have to place the safety of his team and their client in that so-called normal boy.
[-]
By the time Team-7(+Touma) escorted Tazuna safely to his home, morning had passed and the afternoon had set.
Exhaustion was clear to see on each of their faces once they arrived at the small two-floor house made of wood resting atop planks that kept the home resting on the water alongside the other homes nearby. The village reminded Touma of riverside bungalows that were commonly found in riverside communities. With all the mangroves littering the island nation it was a rather accurate observation.
Alongside Team-7, Touma followed after the bridge builder who led them into his humble little home. Relief spread out to soothe the numerous aches in Touma's body the second his heavy foot stepped into the bridge builders abode; he nearly dropped Kakashi's body to the floor. Now he was hitting his limit after almost a half-hour of lugging the older man over his bloody back. Beads of sweat were mixing with the caked dirt and blood on his face to drip off his chin, reminding him of a runny faucet that was loosely shut. Along with the sores, he felt disgusted with how wet and sticky his clothing had become after being drenched by all the water spells he had negated.
Plus, he was cold.
Incredibly cold.
Seriously, the Kamijou Express was sputtering black smoke on its wheels and out of fuel! He was ready to join the jonin on the ground about now.
"Tou-san? Tou-san is that you?!"
Who Touma believed to be the voice of Tazuna's daughter echoed within the home, followed closely by rushing footsteps from the area of the residence that he guessed was the kitchen. From around a corner, a beautiful mature woman with dark hair reaching her shoulders parted to reveal her forehead, kind onyx eyes, and a curvy figure and modest chest came into view. She wore a pink short sleeve with dark trimmings and long sleeve skirt that hugged her fine hips with a worried expression aimed at the sheepish bridge builder leading them in.
'Huh, I guess she might fit the Dorm Manager Onee-san archetype if it wasn't for being a mother. Then again, I don't think that would disqualify her either; Tazuna-san may have spoken some lick of truth to a Kaa-san simply being the final evolution to an Onee-san. Too bad Pierce and Tsuchimikado aren't around to help me with this archetype classification.'
Worlds apart as they were, Touma could still hear a certain blue hair pierced eared Fetish King rave about classifying the mature woman as a MILF.
"Oh, I see you've brought visitors with you?" The woman questioned carefully, eyeing the gathered ninja in her home. Her gaze settled on Touma himself, or more importantly, the passed out gray-haired shinobi whose weight made his knees tremble.
At the sight of his daughter, Tazuna smiled gently while introducing everyone in tow, "Tsunami, I'd like you to meet the young and brave shinobi who've agreed to protect your Tou-san in his venture to free our nation from Gato's greedy clutches! ...What were your names again?"
"Are you serious, old man?! How could you forget our names after we saved your ass from a giant clever wielding, bloodthirsty, no-brow assassin?!" Naruto shouted with a throbbing vein on his forehead.
"That there is Blond-Midget-kun; he's annoyingly loud and wears orange despite being some stealthy shinobi."
"Stop calling me midget or I'll knock you out again, old man! You think you've seen my Orieko no Jutsu but that was only from a distance. I'll reveal to you its true power up close, you dir-pfffgglggwwwbbbbb!"
Courtesy of a punch to his stomach from a ticked off Sakura, Naruto shut up from his spot rolling around the floor. With a huff, Sakura faced Tsunami with a pleasant smile that betrayed her violent act against her groaning teammate.
"It's nice to meet you, Tsunami-san! My name is Haruno Sakura, genin of Konohagakure no Sato and member of Team-7! The moron rolling around with a whimper is sadly my teammate, Uzumaki Naruto. As for the cool face, aloof aura boy with that just screams handsome, his name is Uchiha Sasuke; strongest genin of our village!"
"Sakura-chan, why?" Naruto whimpered with a kick aimed at the ever silent Sasuke who batted his attack casually. Why couldn't his secret crush treat him with the respect and adoration a hero such as himself deserved?
"And finally, we have our sensei, Hatake Kakashi. He's the leader of our mission but as you may notice, he's indisposed." Sakura weakly finished by gesturing to the unconscious man on Touma's back.
"By the way, can I just dump the scarecrow wherever? I don't mean to be rude, Tsunami-san but I'm kinda carrying a grown man who could stand to lose a few pounds. If I were to continue this for another minute, I'm not sure I can stop myself from collapsing along with him." Touma groaned with buckling knees.
"Oh, I almost forgot; the boy who's carrying our sensei would be...Kamijou Touma?" It took the cherry blossom haired girl a moment to remember his name since they had only just met.
"Of course, Kamijou-san! We do have a spare bedroom that you may all use while you stay, which we insist you do. Don't worry yourself about food, bathing, or any essentials you may need; the least we can do for protecting my Tou-san's life is make it easier for you to do your job." Hastily Tsunami led Touma and the others to the spare room.
It was large enough to accommodate everyone present, making it easy to help ease Kakashi into a spare futon Tsunami provided them. A quick check-up of the shinobi's body for any serious injuries with the assistance of Sakura told them that the gray-haired shinobi wasn't in need of any immediate treatment. Clearly, he had been drained from the fight after expending too much chakra in his fight, diagnosed Sakura to an oblivious Touma. As for why a doctor wasn't needed immediately, she explained to the clueless boy (of another world) how chakra helped a ninja's natural healing capabilities speed up the recovery process, so long as it wasn't a serious injury as internal wounds or broken bones.
As someone not of this world, he had no clue to how vital chakra was to ninjas. He was just thankful that Kakashi appeared to only need plenty of bed rest and some bandages. Also that he no longer needed to offer a grown man a piggyback ride anymore. The Kamijou Express was derailed in desperate need of repairs.
"Now...that Kakashi-san's...t-taken-"
At that very moment, all the pain, the aches, the soreness, and exhaustion dog-piled onto Touma's bruised figure made a tactical strike to completely overwhelm his numb figure. Once the gray-haired scarecrow was in bed, Touma took a few steps back, blinking slowly as a sharp pain pierced his thoughts like he were hit by Gungnir.
Mind you, he had already been hurt from his fight with Kamisato before falling on his head due to World Rejector banishing him here. Since he had tagged along with Team-7 on their escort mission, he had only been piling up more and more injuries on his first day. It was only a matter of time before his body caught up to all the damage. He was just an average boy when it came down to it.
Which was why his body dropped like a sack of rocks without another word.
"Kamijou-san!"
'I'm going to need to apologize to Tsunami-san and Tazuna-san for the blood I've gotten on their floor. First day in a new world and I've been beaten to the point of needing a doctor? Bet that frog faced doctor is shaking his head mirthfully at this Kamijou-san. Wait a minute...I don't have Heaven Canceler to treat me anymore. Huh; shit.'
"Tou-san! Go see if you can reach the village doctor and send him over here! I'm not sure we can afford to treat Kamijou-san's injuries lightly without knowing the extent of his wounds!"
A set of hands moved Touma's body to lay flat on the tatami mat carefully. His blurry vision made out who he believed were Sakura, Tsunami, and Tazuna leaning over him before Tsunami went to removing his heavily worn out and soaked clothes. A splitting sensation settled on his forehead created a deafening ring as he began to follow Kakashi's lead into unconsciousness.
"S-Such...misfortune."
[-]
Kakashi awoke with a groan, his body decided to groan as well as he carefully sat up from what he guessed was a futon he was resting in. A few of his joints popped as he rubbed his visible left eye. Without really understanding why, his right hand snapped like a cobra and caught a certain threat to his person and innocence. He held back a yawn, cracking open his dark eye to lazily regard whoever dared to interrupt his sleep with their shenanigans.
"What the hell, Kakashi-sensei!? Weren't you suppose to be out like a light?"
Ah, Naruto.
Oh, and was that Sakura and Sasuke standing behind their teammate, leaning over his shoulder to get a look at Konohagakure's most gossiped and well-known secret among the ninja community? Couldn't those curious little students of his leave their sensei in peace without trying to sneak a peek at his face?
Honestly; what was the big deal with people trying to see him without his mask? In Kakashi's own opinion, he wasn't attractive nor was he ugly either. A face was a face. And he was as ordinary as anyone else. At this point, he was simply hiding what he looked like for amusement rather than being self-conscious. Not to mention it was a rather nifty exercise to keep his reflexes and senses sharp.
"Now, now, haven't I told you that prodding a sleeping shinobi is a dangerous game? Must I treat you to the pain of a Thousand Years of Death once again?"
Naruto immediately blanched and scooted away from him. Kakashi nodded with a chuckle, happy to see his foolish student knew better than to test him. Good old Thousand Years of Death, truly one of the greatest hanging threats a ninja could make.
While Naruto faintly cowered with his hands protecting his butt, Sakura took his place by his bedside, sitting on her knees as she smiled in relief.
"It's good to see you up, Kakashi-sensei. We were really worried about you when you passed out back there. Really, you shouldn't have pushed yourself so far."
Close by, Kakashi noticed Sasuke eye him carefully before giving off a soft scoff and returning to taking an account of his weapons and tools.
From an Uchiha, it was the only sign of concern he could openly give without outright expressing it.
Now that he was awake, Kakashi began to scan his surroundings, taking note of the room, the furniture, exits, possible objects of interest, and the people. Such observations were second nature for an ex-anbu elite who had seen battle from the tender age of eight. He was relieved to see they must have made it to their client's home, obvious from the sight of Tazuna speaking off to the side with an unknown individual Kakashi had never seen before. By Tazuna's side was an older woman with dark hair who exuded a motherly aura; the bridge builder's only daughter, Tsunami.
After being attacked twice by Gato's men, Team-7 had safely escorted their client to his home without Tazuna suffering so much as a scratch to his person.
Other than to themselves anyway.
From what Kakashi could see from his students, only Sakura had made it out of their clash with Zabuza without any injury. Naruto and Sasuke were far from wounded as Kakashi but they had a few bandages and gauze treating their own injuries. Other than the bandages, it also seemed as if they had changed into their spare clothing after being drenched by all the water flying around during their fight. Kakashi was happy to see not one of his students had suffered any mortal or grievous hits.
Truly the only ones to have taken a beating were Kakashi and Touma.
Speaking of which.
"Thank's for the concern, Sakura. But where is Kamijou-san? Wasn't he watching over you all as I passed out?" he asked as Sakura's face grew a concerned frown.
The cherry blossom haired girl fidgeted, her hands twisting around another as she spoke softly.
"Kamijou-san's resting but...we don't know of his condition yet. When we arrived at Tazuna-san's home, we focused on treating you first. Shortly after though, Kamijou-san just...collapsed. His body was trembling, blood was soaking through his clothes, and he was freezing. He was far more wounded than he seemed and was in dire need of a doctor. That was almost two hours ago. Right now, Tazuna-san and Tsunami-san are speaking with the village doctor about his condition; I think he just finished treating Kamijou-san as you awoke."
"I'm surprised Kamijou was able to make it this far in his state." Sasuke chipped in with a conflicted scowl, "His clothes were practically dyed in blood and his skin was cold from all the water he was soaked in. He looked like a drown corpse who had just resurfaced." he said flatly with a glance to the far left corner of the room.
Kakashi followed the aloof boy's gaze, finding a certain spiky teen resting in a futon of his own.
From what he could see of the strange boy, his entire face was wrapped up in bandages. Touma's chest slowly rose up with every breath as he slept with a peaceful expression on his mummy face. Rolls of white clothe, a water bowl tainted with crimson fluid, scissors, scalpels, and ointments laid close by his futon. A slight hint of medicine could be detected lingering in the air despite the aroma of a home-cooked meal being prepared in the background.
Clearly, the one to have been the most injured during the fight with one of the Seven Swordsman of The Mist had been the ordinary boy they had picked up on the side of the road. Kakashi shouldn't have been surprised even though said spiky boy had been capable of destroying all of Zabuza's water clones and had even landed a few blows of his own.
"So, we've made it to the client's home without having suffered any major damage to our own team. The client is safe and sound, we've defeated what could possibly be Gato's strongest hired arm, and said defeat of his men will likely make Gato think twice about sending any more enemies our way." Kakashi surmised as he took his eyes away from the resting Touma to address his students. Tiredly, he crossed his arms over his chest as Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura sat around his futon, "Our own injuries aside, I'd say we've done very well for the start of our first B-rank mission. You've all done very well for a bunch of freshly graduate ninjas who've experienced a taste of real-world combat that may have lead to your deaths if one miss-step was made. You should all be proud."
Pride was not found though on the faces of those three genins.
A look of defeat passed through all of them.
The one to speak out was, of course, Naruto.
"Yeah, but Touma got really messed up because of us, sensei." Naruto said in frustration, sparing said older boy a glance before turning down to his clenched fists, "You told us to protect both Tazuna and Touma. We could only protect one of them while the other broke free of our Machi Formation and fought No-Brows. And because we couldn't stop him ourselves, because we were too afraid to fight when No-Brows hit us with his killing intent, we were the ones who found ourselves being protected instead. He saved us."
Sasuke scowled, showing his own frustration with how useless they had been in the fight as some nobody stood up in their place. To have been saved by a random stranger who lacked the gifts a genius such as himself possessed was a big hit to his pride
"How can we call ourselves ninjas when we couldn't even keep a single civilian safe from harm? No matter how hard I tried to pull him back, he just brushed me aside and ran in like a reckless idiot. I couldn't...I couldn't even keep an ordinary boy back or protect him." Sakura said in defeat coupled with frustration.
All around, those young genins were struggling to accept any sense of accomplishment or victory after they had been shown up by a boy who didn't even understand the basics of chakra.
Ninja were soldiers created by their village to not only fight for whatever cause their leader believed in but were meant to protect the innocent from harm. Each one of those genins had been taught how to properly fight, how to handle certain hazardous situations, how to perform supernatural phenomena to better fight and survive, and how to protect civilians targeted by enemy ninja. Though they were still considered children by some, the metal platted headbands on their foreheads were telling symbols of their capability of doing something so simple as keeping those who were untrained in ninjutsu from danger.
To be saved by the very person they had been told to protect, a boy who didn't possess the experience or training required to become a ninja, was a humiliating blow to their self-esteem.
Even more so when they had seen the bloody and bruised state said boy had suffered for their sake when it was supposed to be the other way around.
Where was victory to be found when they had experienced such failure?
"Hmm, I suppose you may have a point. Kamijou-san isn't a shinobi, despite his oddly abnormal reaction speed and combat prowess," Kakashi muttered skeptically before his eyes narrowed slightly at the defeated aura his students were displaying.
It was obvious to note how upset and frustrated his students were.
They had just survived a brush with death staring down at them like mere insects. And while they had eventually gathered the strength and willpower to bear such overwhelming bloodlust from a shinobi who far surpassed them in every category as ninja, they still tasted the bitter aftertaste of defeat.
In victory, they only saw defeat and failure as ninjas.
Such thinking wouldn't do at all.
"I ordered you all to run away, to keep Tazuna-san and Kamijou-san out of harm's way. I'm happy to see you are all not the type of ninja to abandon their comrade, but you are correct; you failed to protect one of your charges from the enemy. Out of all of those present, it was he who suffered far greater wounds at the hand of Momochi Zabuza when he was never meant to so much as step up to such a monster. You're ninja, proud shinobi and kunoichi of Konohagakure no Sato, but you were no more than mere children shaking in their boots when faced with a demon wielding a large knife and a cold glare. Where you stumbled to clench your fists and stand your ground, a random stranger took your place and fought without so much as ever tripping. You were saved by a boy who doesn't possess your talents or gifts,"
Sasuke clenched his teeth, his knuckles growing white as he stared at the floor with frustration.
"Your intellect,"
Sakura gripped her left wrist tightly, fighting the urge to show her anger.
"Or your strength."
Naruto's blond spikes fell over his forehead to shadow his expression, twisted with defeat and failure as his shoulders trembled.
All three genin knew they had fallen short of keeping one boy from the crashing and bloodcurdling intent of a demon. Failure was failure. The clumps of red-stained rags laying close to the now resting spiky teen were a testament to their shortcomings.
"Someone who should have been cowering behind you patted your quivering backs to give you courage and took your place to play the hero. Accept it, know it...and learn from it."
Though his words were stern, the truth was crushing, and the shame blistering, Kakashi's eyes revealed a kindness possessed by his role as a mentor to those troubled young ninjas.
"If you fall, pick yourself back up. If you stumble, steady your next step. If you trip, catch yourself and keep moving. Failure is not the end of your journey; a ninja is not a ninja if they never taste the sting and bitterness of defeat in a mission. Where you slipped up previously, ingrain your regrets deep into your memory and make sure to take action when it occurs again. Make it so that the next time a boy as out of place as the one sleeping with numerous wounds beneath gauze and bandages behind you is the one staring at your backs instead. You've all overcome the aura of a demon soaked in the deep crimson colors of the ninja world; next time, take hold of your blades and fight for the safety of those you've promised to protect with all your might."
Those young eyes weighed down by their inability to so much as ensure the safety of one boy hardened. Resolve was clear to see, a strong urge to overcome who they had previously been when a bloody tsunami of violence had crashed itself over them and left them whimpering without hope of survival. The fresh green leaves who had abandoned the branches of the great tree shuddered but regained the strength to continue twirling about without being overcome by the harsh winds of the world.
"It may not happen soon, it may take some time, maybe even years, but when the one who acted as your shield to absorb the malice and cruelty of someone far greater and powerful than yourselves finds themselves against such a foe again; be their shield and sword, and fight for their well-being with everything you have like the proud ninja of Konohagakure no Sato you are."
"Aye, sensei!"
Kakashi was proud to hear such resolve from his students, even the ever aloof and cold Sasuke. Seemed even the Uchiha recognized his own shortcomings and accepted them without making excuses. Already he was proving to be so much more than his ancestors and kin who had passed on.
Young those three genins may be but they were proving to be making far more leaps in strength than so many others at their age. Even Kakashi hadn't been so understanding or ready to accept such words at his age. Truly, they were each ninja who held great wells of potential just waiting to be molded into incredible ninjas.
"Good; it seems you're all more than eager to make up for your failures. This means I'll have to work my hardest to better help you kids achieve the strength to do so. Don't worry, I'm sure I've got an idea or two on how to get you three there." Kakashi smiled with his eye.
First, though, they would need to get a better grasp of the situation at hand. Not to mention there was still the matter of a certain spiky teen to address.
Speaking of which…
"Am I to assume you would be Hatake-san, correct?"
Kakashi turned his head to the left, finding the old man who had been addressing both Tazuna and Tsunami close by his futon. The old man appeared to be right around the same age as Tazuna but with a paler complexion and thin frame when compared to most of those who lived in Nami no Kuni. While he was a doctor, the old man didn't wear the common medical wear one would expect, instead, he wore a simple beaten up dark blue vest and brown pants. The man was bald with liver spots littering his scalp, possessed a hook-like scar near his left eye, and what gray hair he had was found on his face in the form of a goatee.
It was said man who Tazuna and Tsunami stood behind who had treated Kakashi's wounds and patched up the far worse off Kamijou Touma.
"Yes, that would be I. May I help you…?"
"Gaze-san would be fine, Hatake-san." the old man known as Gaze said, his tone fitting the stereotypical cold yet professional tone a doctor such as himself would possess at his age, "I simply wished to inform you of your condition now that you are awake. As expected of a ninja, your body is far sturdier than most despite the bruised rib you've suffered. I advise proceeding with your mission with caution to it; give it at least three days before you go about combat to avoid any further strain. I do not possess the training or skill to use chakra as the medical professionals in your village, so all I could do was the standard treatment civilians would undergo for your wounds."
Carefully, Kakashi moved his left hand to rest over his ribs and lightly winced as he gingerly touched the area Zabuza had struck him with enough force to send his body flying several meters. The swordsman hit like a wild ill-tempered bear.
"Your abdomen is also bruised but will heal much faster thanks to your chakra. Other than some superficial wounds which will mend due to a ninja's superior healing due to their tenketsu points aiding in the body's ability to regenerate damaged cells, the most pressing issue would have to be your chakra reserves. While I may not have too much experience in treating shinobi, I do know how to assess one with low reserves such as yourself. You've used up far too much and will need to rest for the next few days, if not a week, to regain your old reserves. Consider yourself lucky; if you had used anymore chakra than was necessary for your fight, you would have undoubtedly been stuck to resting in bed for an entire week."
Gaze's eyes wandered over to the three young ninjas sitting by Kakashi's bedside as he continued speaking.
"Your students are fine as well. Whatever wounds they suffered will be healed in a day; the blond boy with the whiskers and blue eyes possess a rather baffling cascade of healing far faster than most I've seen. You ninja shouldn't need anything more than rest compared to the other one."
Kakashi's eyes narrowed as he found himself paying far more attention to the old man who spoke blandly to their conditions.
"And what of Kamijou-san?"
Gaze momentarily eyed Kakashi with an odd stare mixed between his dispassionate aura and disbelief before shutting his weathered eyes with a long exhale.
"Truthfully? I'm surprised he's breathing. The amount of blood he must have lost should have caused him to pass out long ago, go into shock, and die a cold death. I've never seen a person's skin so pale before yet still possess a heartbeat. He must have been previously suffering from anemia; it's the only explanation to explain how much blood was cleaned off."
The old doctor rubbed his scalp tiredly as he explained what he had seen when treating the spiky teen resting at the other side of the room. He glanced back to his right, eyeing Tsunami mirthfully.
"Tsunami-san did well in cleaning off all the grime, blood, and sweat caking his body before I arrived. She was smart to immediately warm up his body and elevate his legs to help his blood circulation. From there, I simply needed to treat whatever open wounds he possessed. Numerous gashes, blunt trauma, swelling on the chest and face, a bruised neck, stab wounds, sprained fingers, and, of course, blood loss. It took quite some time to stitch him up, but he's surprisingly sturdy as well for a boy I'm told is not a shinobi like yourselves. The boy must be used to being under the knife."
"How so?" Kakashi asked out of curiosity about the odd observation by the doctor.
"As you must know by now since you've been hired by Tazuna-san to protect him; Gato has taken control of our nation. Due to the greedy mole's corruptible hold and greedy take of our resources, certain items are nigh impossible to come by now. Medicinal drugs are all but dry. I am a small-time doctor who had retired long ago but I do possess a small cache from my days of work; none of which though are as crucial as anesthesia. During my little needlework on Kamijou-san, I was unable to put him under, meaning he should have felt every slice, every prick, every inch of cold steel on his wounds."
A look of realization appeared in the eyes of the genin as Kakashi glanced back at the soundly sleeping Kamijou Touma. The gray-haired ninja wasn't surprised to see some horror in Sakura's eyes as she fully understood what was said.
"I'd asked the two boys of yours to standby to restrain Kamijou-san from causing any trouble if he woke up, but the teen never so much as did anything more than grimace or breath sharply in his sleep. I don't believe any amount of exhaustion could help a person ignore such pain other than a high tolerance for pain going beyond inhuman. From what I've found on his body though, I suppose it makes sense. They're faint, unbelievably faint, but I've found a few scars on his body including a rather weathered wound from what must have been long ago on his back from a large knife. He must have been treated by a vastly superior and talented doctor to leave behind scars that are practically invisible to the common eye."
Tazuna scratched the back of his balding scalp, staring with a cross of amazement and disbelief at the spiky boy he had previously been arguing with without a hint of anything being wrong with him.
"Kami, just who the hell is this brat? He'd have to be a shinobi or something to have survived. There's just no way that he's normal."
Kakashi would have to agree to such a statement after learning a great deal from Touma's condition. It was hard to believe said average teen had gathered enough strength to carry him over his back when he was on the verge of passing out as well. Such endurance was something gathered from constant training and survival; such endurance could not be born naturally.
Gaze continued none the less as he crossed his arms and tapped his fingers on his forearms.
"He's not a shinobi, so his chakra won't be of much help since it's not as overflowing as you ninja. He'll have to heal naturally from here. I doubt he'll be able to move at all or wake up anytime soon. He'll be suffering from anemia and muscle fatigue for the most part, it'll also be difficult to talk due to the swelling around his neck, so I advise against any activity at all until he came move about without signs of discomfort. Due to a lack of resources and tools, I can't do any more from here. If his body is truly sturdy and hardier than expected, he should recover within two weeks' time without medicine."
Done with his diagnosis, the old doctor walked over to the sleeping Touma's side of the room and began to gather what items and equipment he could gather in his medical bag. With one last check on his patient, and giving a slight sound of surprise he quickly shook off as if he had seen a trick of the eye, Gaze stood back up and moved to the door to leave.
"I've done all I can, Tazuna-san. Please, don't reach out to me again unless it's absolutely urgent to your life. I've told you; I'm retired. All I want is to go about my remaining days in peace, even if said peace is plagued by Gato's shadow. I've done you favor out of kindness between friends, but I refuse to do it anymore from here. The last thing I desire is being ripped from my home, dragged through the streets, and beaten to death in public because I decided to save a single life or treat a single wound of a person standing against Gato and his thugs. Go about your own naive dream yourself and don't drag old folk like me to your childish ambitions."
[-]
How long had it been?
Telling by the fresh set of bandages rolled over his body, not too long since Touma had passed out. Without knowing much about this new world, he couldn't say that this world's medicinal proficiency would do him any good considering how beat up he was. Back in Academy City, it would only take Heaven Canceler an hour or two to patch up what Touma liked to consider light wounds when compared to his usual life-threatening hits. Give him a prescription of pain killers, pat on the back, a whimsical comment about seeing Touma again, and a bill that hurt him more than having an arm chopped off, and he would have been on his way back to his dorm.
This wasn't Academy City though, so he wasn't sure how he would have been treated. Even as he slept, his body felt incredibly heavy and sore after being treated. Did that mean ibuprofen wasn't a thing?
He was at least grateful to feel the nice and comforting futon he was moved to instead of the hard floor. Or bathtub. Groaning softly, he fought to keep his eyes shut and enjoy a well-deserved rest after everything he had been through these past few days.
How long had it even been since he had more than a few hours of sleep?
Sleep, unfortunate Kamijou-san. Dream a good dream about a lovely, nurturing, and sexy Onee-san watching over your sleeping form whose fingers played with your pointy locks with an adorable giggle.
"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?! ARE YOU SAYING ZABUZA'S STILL ALIVE?!"
No, damn it! Let sleeping Kamijou's lay! Or suffer the wrath of an illusion shattering straight punch to the face!
"But Kakashi-sensei didn't you check that he was dead?! You said he didn't have a pulse! How could he possibly be alive after being pierced through the neck?!"
It was with great regret that Touma groaned, knowing he couldn't continue sleeping any longer. Once he heard mention of a dead man, he realized that he would have to be awake or be haunted by dreams of his lovely Dorm Manager Onee-san transforming into a brow-less butcher.
"What's this about Momochi-san being alive?" Touma tiredly asked with a yawn on his lips before coughing hoarsely. It hurt but he sat up wince a grunt as the action alone popped a few joints and massaged his sore throat. Maybe it would have been better to ignore talks of a buried Demon and gotten rest instead. He wasn't a shinobi, so none of what was being discussed was any of his business.
When he thought about it, Kakashi and his students had done what Touma had asked for; bring him to the nearest form of civilization. If he was going to understand anything about this new world than he would need to learn all he could about what the new world's monetary system was, their government and law, the language(Japanese, thank god), culture, and whatever else he could glean to better fit in without raising suspicion. Though he had a feeling that he was already under scrutiny from Kakashi.
Once he was well-rested and could move without much strain, he would have to thank the ninjas and Tazuna for their help before leaving their care. There was no reason for him to stay any more than necessary when they were occupied with their own mission.
Touma wasn't sure why, but upon his awakening, those in the room found themselves staring at him strangely and with disbelief. He wasn't sure he wanted to know why that was.
"Awake, I see, Kamijou-san. I thought the doctor said that you would be out for for some time after treating your wounds. But I suppose I shouldn't be surprised, you are far from normal as normal would expect."
"I am so too normal as normal can be! Don't make me out as some irregular teenager who has no hope of returning to the good old days of having to only worry about his abysmal attendance record and lousy grades instead of smug-faced idiots with literal god complexes!"
Kakashi chuckled at Touma's explosive yet hoarse response, sitting up from his own futon with his green vest set aside neatly beside him. Unlike himself, the jonin didn't appear any less for wear, needing no visible bandages as he had only been drained from using too much chakra. His three students were gathered around the gray-haired shinobi in a cold sweat. They were snapped out of the terrifying realization of a zombie Zabuza brought from the dead by Touma waking up to join the chat. Standing closely by his side were Tsunami and Tazuna who were just as stunned to see him up so early.
"How about we agree to disagree then?"
"How about I give you a reason to cover up your right eye then?"
"Kamijou-san, why are you awake? Don't you think you should be resting right now with your condition?" Sakura asked worriedly.
Touma rubbed the back of his head out of habit, noticing the new bandages wrapped around not only the back of his skull but his arms. What did they think he was? A mummy ready for a night out on Halloween? Considering his usual treatment at the hands of Heaven Canceler, he wasn't too surprised to see so many bandages and gauze over his body.
If anything, he was feeling a bit more sore than usual after being treated by the frog faced old man. Talking kinda hurt his throat too.
"I hate to say it but this isn't anything new for this poor Kamijou-san. I'm usually worse off than a couple of cuts and bruises like now. Surviving a simple beating by some shirtless guy wielding a large sword isn't anything new."
"Cuts, bruises, sprained fingers, a nose that was off by an inch or two, a sprained rib cage, and a decent amount of blood loss just to name the few wounds you've piled on to your list of injuries of walking into a fight with Momochi Zabuza. The doctor who inspected us both had said that your injuries weren't as serious as to require surgery but that you would need several days of complete bed rest to make a full recovery." Kakashi explained in Sakura's stead, "He was a small-time doctor who only has access to common medical tools and medicine, so we weren't treated with medical jutsu to heal us. So, we'll have to make do with letting our bodies fix us up naturally in the meantime that we're guarding Tazuna-san against any more enemy forces. Unlike yourself, Kamijou-san, I've only suffered from chakra exhaustion and a sprained rib and bruised abdomen; I should be back on my feet before week's end. You, on the other hand, should have been unconscious for at least the remainder of the day and unable to move."
Wouldn't that have been nice? To be knocked out for one whole day and catch up on much-needed sleep. Per his typical misfortune, such an illusion could only be shattered.
"I'd have liked to but when you hear mention of a demon swordsman rising from the grave in your sleep, you can't exactly expect any sweet dreams of Onee-sans welcoming you back on their soft and supple thighs."
He was up, regretfully, so he couldn't pretend to be sleeping in the present company. Before he went on his own way, he would like to be assured that he wouldn't have to worry about a vengeful spirit lugging a cleaver after his head.
"That's right, you said that Zabuza could still be alive, Kakashi-sensei." Sakura spoke up to return to their discussion after tearing her concerned eyes off of the awake Touma, "The weapons that were used to 'kill' Zabuza were senbon, medical needles mainly used in the practice of acupressure but utilized by shinobi to target vital points for a more clean and silent death. Are you saying that because senbon were used to kill Zabuza that there is a possibility that he's alive?"
Kakashi nodded before deciding it would be best to catch Touma up with what was already been said in regards to the deceased Demon of The Mist.
"You think he faked his death then?" It was a ridiculous idea but not impossible by any means. As a resident of Academy City, he had come to learn all manner of scientific knowledge in hopes of growing his mind alongside drugs to awaken a Personal Reality. Plus he had found himself in the hospital more times than he would have liked. In his stays of being treated by a doctor regarded as Heaven Canceler, he picked up a few things.
"I suppose it is possible if the needles were laced with a special drug that would simulate death to its target but that would mean a far more concerning threat."
Sasuke caught on to the unsaid danger Touma proposed. Naruto and Sakura were out of the loop, confused at what was being said as Kakashi nodded.
"Senbon were originally medical tools before leaning into the killing field by the likes of Hunter Corps in the hidden villages. Such tools are fairly low in killing power unless they strike a vital spot such as organs, arteries, and veins. The theory presented by Kamijou-san isn't far from possible; a drug can induce a death-like state if needed, but I believe one wouldn't need to go about such a method due to senbon's being capable of producing the same result if they were to pierce certain nerves. All it would take is a great deal of knowledge of the human anatomy, a basic understanding all members of disposal shinobi must attain, to place their targets into near-death states that would fool even a skilled Anbu."
"If that's right then it also brings up the masked boy who was responsible for Zabuza's 'death'." Touma continued on with a conflicted scowl as he crossed his arms over his bare bandaged chest, "If he was really a shinobi's whose task is to assassinate Momochi-san than why would he go through the trouble of setting up the illusion of his death? It doesn't make sense unless his objective was to trick us, fool us to believe that we no longer hand anything to concern ourselves over, and escape with the wanted shinobi. Didn't you say that shinobi hunter's also burned the corpse to prevent the secrets held in their body from being stolen by enemy shinobi?"
"Why the hell would he do that?" Naruto asked with a knitted brow and a scratch of his whiskered cheeks.
Kakashi lifted two fingers up to explain, "First of all, the hunter-nin went through the trouble of lugging a man whose weight is over a hundred pounds away from the scene. Such an action contradicts what hunter-nin protocol states when their duty is to dispose of the body on sight no matter what. All but the head would be destroyed and returned to their village via sealing scroll. Second, the shinobi used senbon to kill his target, leaving the strong possibility of inflicting a near-death state to create the illusion of Zabuza's death. To ensure an instant-kill, he could have gone a number of different methods that would have been just as good but instead chose such a precise tool. If you were to consider both points than it suggests the hunter-nin had another objective he didn't want us to know."
"It was a rescue mission." Touma realized, "He tricked us with a convenient cover story of being an assassin who had been tracking Zabuza this entire time when in reality he was a partner standing by. He was backup in case Zabuza failed for any reason and acted to save him when he could no longer continue their mission. If what you say about senbon is true then he just needed to fake Zabuza's death and take off with the body under the guise of disposing of the body."
It was frustrating to think how easily they had been fooled, never taking into question whether the random ally who popped out of the blue was an enemy. Then again, Touma wasn't a genius and knew nothing about the world of shinobi to question what he had seen. It was none the less upsetting to realize that such a cruel and ruthless enemy was still among the living.
Probably pissed off too.
"So, No-Brow might still be alive then?"
"Kitsune-kun, I don't like that barely controlled tingle of excitement in your tone. What kind of kid gets excited at the prospect of fighting a demon?! Are you masochist, is that it?! Do blood and violence do it for you?"
"Shut up, Touma! It's not my fault you were hogging all the action for yourself! As future Hokage of Konoha, this is my chance to show everyone back in my village just how awesome I am! What better achievement can I get than taking down No-Brows?"
"Weren't you too scared to do a thing earlier?"
Sasuke snorted in mirth as Naruto's face grew red in embarrassment and anger.
"Of course the dope froze up. I wouldn't expect any less from the dumbest ninja of our year."
"What are you laughing at, Ahiru-kun? You weren't any different than Kitsune-kun; both of you were shaking like small dogs in the cold."
The duck comment wasn't earning Touma any positive points in Sasuke's route as he sent him a sharp glare. Such an attitude reminded Touma of a vanilla Accelerator who wasn't obsessed with power.
"Tch, I don't expect a third-rate who isn't a trained shinobi to understand."
Third-rate?
A click of the tongue in annoyance?
High and mighty aura?
Yup, he could see the small similarities with The One Way Road esper. Hopefully, that didn't mean the stoic boy wasn't mentally unstable either and obsessed with growing stronger no matter the cost. The last thing he wanted in the future was to deal with another Accelerator who was in need of an old fashioned punch to the face. If Sasuke had a Lolicon fetish than Touma was steering clear of the mini-Accelerator.
Ignoring the two male students seeking to cause harm to a civilian, Kakashi returned to the heart of the matter, "Right now, it's nothing more than speculation we can't dispute without any more evidence. Being ninja though, we must not overlook such glaring clues; to do so would be expecting death. We must not forget that Gato must not have only employed Zabuza and possibly the masked hunter-nin. A billionaire like him could easily hire an army of wanted shinobi and bandits to build up manpower no matter how weak they may be. This means we'll simply have to make preparations for any number of attacks that may come; preparation is, after all, a shinobi's most valued skill."
"Preparations? But sensei, you can't move right now; your chakra still needs time to recover. What could you possibly do to prepare for another attack in bed?" Sakura asked in concern.
"True; I do need some time to rest my weary body. Sensei's not as young as he used to be." Lamented Kakashi with a head hung at the realization he wasn't the same eight-year-old who joined Anbu long ago. Just where did the years go?
"That said, you kids are different. I may not be in the best of health right now but you can all still prepare your bodies and mind for whatever may come. Which means I'll just have to increase your training in the time we get ready for another attack."
Touma listened listlessly at the conversation from that point on.
Mentions of training had nothing to do with this simple-minded Kamijou-san who was bedridden. Other than smiling lightly at the pure happiness that lite up on Naruto's face as he was recognized for his strategy and growth, Touma didn't pay much attention to the ninjas as he laid back with a long sigh crossed with a groan.
'Man does my body hurt right now. Having to deal with the Shoggoth Sample, Kamisato Kakeru, and Momochi Zabuza back to back really banged me up. And without Heaven Canceler around, I'm lucky to have been taken care of without all the fancy technology and medicine. But...what now?'
The Konohagakure ninja had their plans but what exactly was Touma's plans from here on out?
He made it to the 'starter' village after an unfortunate delay in the prologue. Now he could take the time to learn as much as he could about the world from the starting point of his new adventure in this world. He was basically a Player in a video game who had made it through the tutorial and reached the first village of a quest. Funny enough those game starting villages were also caught up in the threat of either a terrible beast or a mafia boss.
Here he could gain some idea of what kind of laws, money, beliefs, and problems he would be dealing with in his stay.
One of the major basics he would need to know of would be this world's monetary system. Who knows how long it would be until Touma was found and rescued from Kamisato's World Rejector? If he was to live here and establish a normal life while he waited or searched for a way back himself than he would need money to survive. That did bring up the interesting idea of Touma having to find a job.
'Who would hire a Kamijou-san who might break plates, lose items, or get caught up in random world-ending events though? I'm still in high school! I don't have any work experience either! A-Am I going to be as poor as I was in Academy City, or worse off?! Is it even possible for me to go lower!?'
Such a familiar crisis found even in a strange new world would have to wait. Touma's mini-panic episode was cut off by his name being called out.
"Kamijou-san? Are you listening?"
Snapping out of it, Touma turned to face Kakashi, noticing he had the attention of everyone in the room for some reason. Was that concern on Sakura's face? And why did it look like Naruto and Sasuke weren't happy with whatever was being said? Did it have anything to do with him?
"Apologies, Kakashi-san, I was kinda occupied with my own plans at the moment."
"Your own plans?" Kakashi quirked a visible brow with interest, "That's right, you were in need of directions to the nearest village, correct? If you don't mind, why is that? Did you have business in the surrounding villages for any particular reason?"
Touma struggled to respond to the innocent question since he had no idea how to properly respond. He didn't want to arouse any unnecessary suspicion again, so he tried being as honest as he could.
"Particularly? No, I don't. I just found myself lost after getting into a fight with someone with a strange power that dropped me off into a random location. I wanted to see where it was the prick sent me and see if I could find a way back home."
"A strange power, one that transported you away from your home?" Kakashi mused as he carefully eyed the earnest faced Touma for deceit of any kind. There was none that could be found, "Could it have been a jutsu then? Just how far away did it take you? The land we're currently residing in is known as Nami no Kuni, a small island nation on the edges of Hi no Kuni; would that give you a general idea of how far you've been displaced?"
No, not at all. The world Touma belonged to had no such place, to his knowledge, that had a nation called Hi no Kuni. But how could he tell that to Kakashi without giving away he didn't belong in this world of shinobi?
He did have an idea at the mention of Kamisato's World Rejector being referred to as a jutsu though. Maybe it could work out after all?
"Have you ever heard of World Rejector?"
"World Rejector? No, I don't believe I have."
Good, Touma wanted to be careful just in case there was the strangest case of two similar spells despite being worlds apart. That meant he could take Kamisato's strange power and define it under acceptable and believable terms that would work to his benefit. It was a power he could use now and change however he wanted. All he needed to do was tweak it a bit to fit under the supernatural laws of another world.
"I suppose you could call it a jutsu. Where I'm from, we have different definitions and names for them though, which is telling enough of how far apart my home is from here. You say you've never heard of Academy City, right?" Receiving a nod not just from Kakashi but everyone else in the room, Touma continued with a sigh, "I can say the same too; I've never heard of Nami no Kuni nor Hi no Kuni. I'm guessing the latter is a major nation?"
Many were stunned at Touma's revelation. It was as good enough an answer then. Hi no Kuni was one of the five major nations in the Elemental Nations yet he had no idea about that. To have not heard of Nami no Kuni was nothing major as it was a small island nation but Hi no Kuni?
It was unbelievable.
But was it really impossible?
The world was a fairly large place even when you put aside the Elemental Nations. There were many lands beyond the land of shinobi that were undocumented; parts of the earth couldn't be reached on foot or with their current technology. There were even known lands that couldn't be reached by normal means; the lands of summons, the most famous of which being The Land of Toads, Mt. Myoboku. Small villages or settlements could also exist in many of the nations far from Hi no Kuni that were isolated and unaware of events outside of their normal lives.
So it wasn't completely unlikely, but none the less incredibly rare, to meet someone who had never heard of one of the five major shinobi nations.
Right?
"World Rejector is a power that 'exiles' those who clash against the wielder's ideals in a sense. It doesn't matter if your intentions are good or evil; if the target's heart holds conflict, they are banished an unknown distance from the caster. It's not a killing technique but more fit for banishing obstacles who go against World Rejector's owner. And I just so happened to be unlucky enough to be fighting such a bastard and get caught in the path of the activation." Touma lamented with a weak smile.
What he was saying was the truth; kinda.
There was more to World Rejector's ability that he had left out but the details didn't matter. That unique right-hand ability was just a well-used excuse for appearing out of nowhere with no knowledge of the land. Jutsus could be seen as Spells, capable of twisting logic and law to the whims of their users, so it was a convenient excuse to abuse.
It was enough for Kakashi to believe as the older shinobi stroked his chin with a nod, "A jutsu that exiles victims to unknown lands in the world? It sounds rather strange but not impossible. I know of a certain dimension banishing technique which is faintly similar to what you've explained. That makes you lost in stranger tides then. It would explain how out of place you appear and your lack of knowledge. As well as why I've never heard of a place called Academy City. It must be jarring to find yourself in such a predicament."
Not all, really. It was an unhealthy and concerning habit he wanted to shake off.
"I wonder just how far away such a jutsu has misplaced you though. For as much as I know, your home could be on the other side of the world, beyond the treacherous seas that no known ship can cross due to hellish storms and unforgiving waves. Which means your lost with no idea how to return home?"
Touma nodded stiffly, not even bothering to hide how he felt about being lost by an insane innumerable distance.
"Pretty much, I guess? I don't know much about this land, so I can't say there isn't a way for me to go home. That's why I want to learn as much as I can and why I wanted to make my way to the nearest village I could find."
"You won't be finding transportation any time soon though. Not when Gato's got his hands in every form of a seafaring ship in this land." Tazuna spat in frustration as he took a sip out of a gourd of sake he had in hand, "The bastard's taken control of just about everything, preventing anyone from taking to the seas without his permission. You have to pay a fucking tax to even live here on a monthly basis; if you don't pay up, you're left to swim with the fishes, so to say. Sorry kid, but as long as Gato's made himself lord, you're not going to be able to do much here." he said solemnly.
"Which actually brings me back to my earlier thought." Kakashi interjected with a cheeriness that sent small Touma's inside his head running around in alarm, "We've come to find ourselves with a common enemy, Kamijou-san. Gato's control of the island has made it impossible for the people to prosper and are left to wither away in poverty; it also means that his goons can be found everywhere and won't take kindly to anyone seeking a way to escape to the seas. Not to mention your prodding of the villagers will send the wrong message. The only way either one of us can achieve our goals here is to ensure Tazuna-san builds his bridge; don't you think?"
The way the gray-haired shinobi's visible eye resembled an upside U found in anime made Touma fell uncomfortable. Just what was that sly scarecrow hinting at?
"You can't be serious, Kakashi-sensei! He's not even a ninja like the rest of us! How could he possibly help us out!" Naruto complained with a fox-eyed pout.
Help out?
Touma blinked before his face blanched.
"Consider this, Kamijou-san." Kakashi said, stopping Touma as he opened his mouth, "Momochi Zabuza may be alive, recovering at this very moment to once again attack not only Tazuna-san, his target but the shinobi who've humiliated him in battle. Just from our encounter, I can tell that he is a very prideful shinobi, one who was defeated at the hands of not only genin but a random civilian. You may as well think of him like a shark who's caught the scent of blood. As long as you remain in Nami no Kuni, you'll be walking with a target on your back, no different than the rest of us."
Touma bit back a curse at the reasoning.
Shit, he was absolutely right! Touma knew the kind of monster Zabuza was, the kind who would chase after his prey to the ends of the earth if need be. He had just pissed off a well-known killer on his first day!
"Such misfortune."
"A very appropriate response." Kakashi chuckled to the dark spiky-haired boy's further despair, "Whether you like it or not, you're already involved in our little story. So, why not work together in the meantime? That way you have a roof over your head since you have no Ryo on your person, I can tell you a bit about our land, and you won't have to deal with any unwanted enemies after your life? Sound good?"
Did he even have any other choices? He was basically boxed in to accept. Not that Touma could complain either. It was a good chance for him to learn as much as he could about this world while escaping any dangers his lack of knowledge would create. Wandering the streets on his own didn't sound like such a good idea, especially when said streets were controlled by a mob boss of sorts.
He did have one question though he had to ask.
"Why would you even want my help, Hatake-san?" Touma frowned at the random partnership from an experienced shinobi, "I've told you before, I'm not much of a fighter. Just look at me, this is usually how I come out of after every fight; stuck in bed with numerous bandages after nearly losing my life. All I got going for me is my righ-!"
Kakashi smirked underneath his face mask as Touma came to answer his own question.
"Kamijou-san, as humble as you make yourself out to be, you fought a B-rank shinobi who was once part of a group of deadly swordsman renown as The Seven Swordsman of The Mist, an organization whose joined might was said to be enough to topple a nation. Contrary to first glance, you possess quite a deal of combat experience along with a strange power in your right hand, correct? You were already wounded but you were able to hold your own against such a powerful adversary without any tools, jutsu, or even a proper taijutsu form to the point you destroyed clones that contained 1/10 of Zabuza's original strength. You were even acknowledged as a real threat and protected my students when I had failed to."
Alright, so when Kakashi put it that way, it really did paint him rather abnormal when Touma was constantly trying to come off as normal as can be. The memories of his involvement in fighting Zabuza had even entered the heads of Team-7 as they even found themselves doubting their earlier thoughts of the normal boy. Even Sasuke was conflicted with denying what was being said when he had seen Touma deliver a clean hit and break Zabuza's nose.
'Stop it, stop staring at this average Kamijou-san as if he's some kind of hidden party member needed to defeat the boss! Kitsune-kun, what's with those suddenly sparkling eyes of amazement?! Didn't you want to kick my ass earlier for talking with your crush?!'
Kakashi ignored the silent tears streaming down the dark aura Touma as he continued, "You also possess a power that seems to nullify not just jutsu but...suppress chakra. In the shinobi world, such power is deadly when used effectively; its quite the trump card, one that would surely aid us if you joined us in protecting Tazuna-san. I'd love to know more about it if I could."
Touma frowned lightly at the question as he crossed his arms over his chest.
Explain his right hand? Would it be a good idea to tell them what Imagine Breaker could really do? He supposed there wasn't really anything wrong with answering; not like he'd be further dooming himself as it is.
"It's called Imagine Breaker; it's a strange power, not even I completely understand despite being born with it. Basically, it's a power found only in my right hand that destroys, or nullifies, any supernatural phenomena no matter how powerful it may be when I come into contact with it. Since it's attached to my body, it also protects me to some degree from mental powers as well. It's a pretty useless power for a normal guy like me though." Touma regarded his right hand bitterly even as Naruto and Sakura stared at it with awe, "In normal circumstances, it's nothing more than an ordinary right hand that can't even stop a rock. And it has a nasty side effect that most people scoff at."
"Side effect?" Sasuke spoke, finding himself interested as everyone else to the ridiculous power he was hearing about, "What kind of side effect would such a deadly power possess if it can stop a dragon made of water with your bare hands?"
"Depends; do you believe in luck?"
"Luck?" Sakura said skeptically with a tilt of her head at the humorless tone in Touma's voice.
"Consider luck a blessing from God, an everyday factor of your life that determines certain miracles and chances falling upon you in random moments of your day. Maybe you've had a good day, found some money in your pockets one morning, survive a near-fatal wound, or won a prize; that's lucky, right? It's a supernatural occurrence that can't be explained logically but works out in your favor. Say you believe it; what do you think would happen to such a miracle born from unnatural means when faced with Imagine Breaker?"
It was Kakashi who put two and two together as his eye flew open wide in disbelief...and pity.
"It would be negated?"
Touma tapped his nose with a grin holding no warmth, mirth, or sadness.
Just acceptance.
"Imagine Breaker nullifies my own sense of luck, believe it or not. You could go as far as saying I'm cursed, a living bad luck charm, or simply unlucky. It's actually the cause of all the trouble I've found myself in on a regular basis. Facing a demon wielding swordsman who manipulates water to create clones, prisons, and dragons? It's sadly just another day for this unfortunate Kamijou-san. If I remember right, I was called a rather nasty name because of my bad luck when I was a kid and seen as a demon."
God of Pestilence.
In a forgotten past of his childhood, his bad luck was so pungent that he was abused by harsh words, thrown rocks, bullied and ignored by adults who encouraged their children to pick on the original Kamijou Touma who was believed to bring them misfortune. It had become so extreme that a man who had lost his business had blamed an eight-year-old boy and dug a knife through his back.
Such misfortune was forgotten by the current iteration of Kamijou Touma born in the death of the boy who saved a certain Sister in July. Everything he knew of concerning his bad luck of the past was all in thanks to his father explaining his reason for accidentally casting a powerful spell around the world.
"My hand is only good for destroying the illusions of those who abuse others with powers that should be regarded as gifts. To a guy who only seeks to live a normal life, it's nothing more than a curse, really. You can even blame it for anything that goes wrong in your own life as long as you remain close to me; I wouldn't even blame you. Being attacked by a swordsman regarded as a Demon sounds rather unfortunate, don't you think?" he lamented sullenly.
Imagine Breaker was a power that only robbed Kamijou Touma of his own good fortune. From what he had heard from his father during the Angel Fall Incident, it had once been so strong that it affected everyone he associated with. He knew now that since he arrived to Academy City, its long-range effects had been dampened to only harm him. Logically, he knew that it wasn't his fault for all the tragedy, mistakes, suffering, and neglect he had come across.
Still there remained a seed of doubt in his heart that he could own up to that misery he stumbled upon. It was a part of him, a dark and twisted part born from his own failures he couldn't cast aside so easily.
Saying it was his fault that Zabuza had attacked was no more than a warning of sorts. If those shinobi wanted to work alongside him than they deserved to know that his mere presence could be the reason why they may suffer from random events that could only bring misery.
"So...you were seen as a demon too, huh?"
Touma blinked, finding himself turning to stare at Naruto whose gaze was focused on the floor for some reason. He had barely heard the energetic blond's soft voice. Why was the whisker boy clutching his hand over his stomach? Did he feel sick?
Sakura seemed to notice the boisterous blond boy's solemn aura too as she hesitantly reached for his shoulder.
"Naruto?"
The whiskered genin froze before furiously shaking his head. He grinned widely at his teammate's concern, keeping his eyes shut to mask whatever emotion he had been struck with.
At that moment, why was it that Touma couldn't help but sympathize with that loudmouth's clearly fake expression?
"But it still sounds like an awesome power! I mean, you punched a water dragon in the face like it was nothing! I don't think Oji-san could do that! It was no wonder No-Brows couldn't beat you!"
The sudden shift in energy was certainly surprising and caught Touma off guard as he rubbed the back of his neck with an unhappy sigh.
"Didn't you hear? Imagine Breaker causes bad luck; I'm basically a living, breathing bad luck charm. What part about that sounds cool, Kitsune-kun?"
"The part where you punched a water dragon and beat up all of No-Brows clones with one punch?"
"You're focusing on the wrong parts, damn it! Do you know how many times this damn right hand has lead to situations that leave this unfortunate Kamijou-san with slaps to the face from misunderstandings with the opposite sex that were beyond his control?! Do you know how many times I've accidentally walked in on a girl changing? Do you know how many times I've fallen only to conveniently have my head land on a woman's chest?! Do you know how many times I've been chased by an angry mob of half-naked woman for actions that weren't my fault!?"
"Oh?"
"Wipe that interested gleam in your eye off, Hatake-san, or I'll break whatever illusions you're thinking of!"
Kakashi lifted his hands up in mocking surrender with a laugh. He would just have to wait for another time to hear about those misunderstandings that could be found in Jiraiya's novels. An important matter like this one took precedence.
"Your misfortune aside, Kamijou-san, I do believe it would benefit everyone if you helped us in our mission with protecting Tazuna-san. If we were to work together, I believe that your assistance may help to prevent a greater tragedy...or would you rather walk away and leave such kind folk as Tazuna-san and his sweet daughter, Tsunami, along with her adorable son to the likes of Gato's men?"
Son of a bitch; was that one-eyed scarecrow really guilt-tripping him right now?! That was just dirty and unfair! How could this simple Kamijou-san turn them down in front of the very people they were protecting?
'I should have honestly seen this coming; I really, really, should have. There really was no other way I could have left without getting involved with dealing with a corrupt businessman, a demon swordsman, and a nation struggling to survive. Not like I'm entirely unhappy with lending a hand.'
An entire island nation was suffering at the hands of a billionaire who ran their home into the ground for monetary gain. A small island of smiles was being robbed and stepped on. Just how many tears, broken families, and lives destroyed had there been because of one man's greed? There was someone standing close to him, an old man who had suffered under such misery, who had enough of being unable to do a thing and now fought to free his home from any further pain.
Why the hell wouldn't Touma lend a hand to protect the precious dream that protected the smiles of so many who had lost them? Did they even need to ask at this point?
"Well, I'm already caught up with the story's heroes, might as well play my part as a secondary character in protecting these islands only hope of salvation. I don't know how much help I can be right now since I'm beat up, but I promise to help out however I can; even if it's something as simple as helping Tsunami-san around the house or even aiding in the construction of Tazuna's san's bridge." As worn out as he sounded, Touma couldn't help but smile.
It wasn't the first time he was asked to help others deal with a major threat. He was magnetically drawn to them and his heart couldn't ignore those who were struggling in any regard. He wouldn't be Kamijou Touma if he did. He would be betraying the heroic boy whose shoes he was filling in for.
'Index, Othinus; I promise, I'll come back home, one way or another. In the meantime, I hope you girls don't mind if I get caught up in a few adventures until we can come together again.'
It was with a thankful nod from Kakashi that the boy known as Kamijou Touma would be temporarily added to Team-7 during their stay in Nami no Kuni, earning different reactions from the Genin.
Sasuke said nothing, looking away with a small click of his teeth. He wouldn't say it but he was interested in the power of Imagine Breaker and how it could destroy jutsus so easily. It made him wonder how it would work against the likes of Sharingan. Since it was his sensei's decision, he wouldn't argue against it and cooperate however he could. It didn't mean he was suddenly going to be on friendly terms with Touma though, especially when he wasn't that well off with his own teammates.
Sakura showed concern at his addition but relented with a sigh. It wasn't as if what their sensei had said was wrong and she had borne witness to how Imagine Breaker nullified jutsu. But it was still worrying to know that they would be dragging a civilian by all regards into their mess. Especially when said civilian had a lot on his plate to deal with already.
As for Naruto, for some reason, he couldn't help but be giddy that they would be working alongside a guy who wielded such an overpowered ability that, again, bitch slapped an actual dragon made of water! He may have been trying to secretly take Sakura away from him but he was sure they could work it out and even get the fellow spiky-haired boy to teach him how to learn Imagine Breaker himself!
"This is going to be so cool! Not only are we going to undergo training to be better shinobi who can beat up that No-Brow's freak but we'll be working with a guy who can destroy jutsus with just a punch! As if that bastard Gato's going to beat us now!"
"What are you talking about? You, idiots, are going to die anyway; how could that be cool?"
"Say what now?" Naruto dumbly mumbled at the sudden young voice that spoke up before his eyes fell on whoever doubted his awesomeness.
A young boy no older than eight walked up to them as he took off his shoes. He wore dark overalls over a simple shirt with a fisherman's hat. Judging by the black short hair that reached the nape of his neck and fell between his brows, and his onyx eyes, he must have been Tazuna's grandson and Tsunami's only child. He would have been a cute kid if it weren't for the rather passionless expression he wore.
"Inari-kun! Where have you been, my boy?! You had Jiji-san worried, you know?" Tazuna happily greeted his grandson who gained a hint of a smile on his face. Seeing his grandfather opened his arms wide, the little boy rushed over for a hug.
Tsunami smiled down at her son, patting his head before turning her eyes to the shinobi who were responsible for her father's safe return.
"Inari-kun, why don't you welcome the brave shinobi who escorted your Jiji-san home safely? It's rude to not give them a proper greeting, young man."
Inari regarded the company of Naruto, Sakura, Sasuke, Kakashi, and briefly Touma with no emotion for a child his age before speaking.
"Why bother, Kaa-san; they're going to die anyway. Why waste anything on a bunch of corpses?"
Touma couldn't help but frown at such callous and cold words from a boy so young. Hearing such a lack of empathy at his age was just...wrong.
Of course, the more boisterous and proud loudmouth of the group couldn't ignore such mocking words for long.
"Oi! What the big idea labeling us as corpses so early on, ya brat?!" Naruto yelled angrily as he found himself held back by Sakura.
"You idiot! Don't cause any harm to the client's kid!"
Inari scoffed at Naruto's aggressive waving arms, writing him off as nothing more than an idiot.
"You can't beat Gato and his men. So, why even bother? Just look at two of you." he gestured to Kakashi who waved pleasantly at the cynical child before landing onto the far more injured Touma, "Already two of you were this badly hurt bringing Jiji-san home; what do you think will happen when he comes to stomp you all out with all his goons? You'll die, that's what, like everyone else who's crossed him. So, why bother getting caught in our misery?"
Naruto was ready to fly off into another tantrum at the disrespectful boy's callous words but was cut off by the words of someone else.
"Isn't that reason enough to try though?"
Those small, young, and cold dark eyes landed onto Touma who met Inari's emotionless gaze with his own dark blue and a slight tug of his lips.
"What good will it do anyone to stand back and just let someone like Gato have his way? Even if it's at the risk of our own lives, why shouldn't we bother to try and stop him? After all, who wants to live in misery for the rest of their lives? If it's precious to you, why not fight with all your strength to protect it?"
Inari's face twisted darkly at his carefree response, only growing more...frustrated(?) as Naruto opened his mouth.
"That's right, brat! As heroes, we have to try and save the day from the bad guy, no matter what! In fact, you're all going to be rescued from Gateau or whatever by the next Hokage of Konohagakure no Sato; Uzumaki Naruto datte-bayo! As if I got anything to be afraid of from some idiot with a name that sounds like chocolate!" Naruto proudly proclaimed with a bright grin on his face.
"You really are stupid, huh?"
Tsunami bit her lips, understanding all too well for the sudden hostility her son was emitting as Inari clenched both of his small fists.
"What are you talking about? 'Heroes'? How childish are you? There's no such thing as heroes in this unfair world!"
Touma understood the anger, resentment, and frustration in such a young boy's voice. He had been on the receiving end of such pain far too many times back home by those who had lost all hope for the world or for any miracle to save them. It seemed that such tragedy was no different in any world too.
The cynical boy glared Naruto's way as said orange jumpsuit boy flailed his raging arms against Sakura's grip. Touma had to hand it to the pink-haired kunoichi, she was stronger than she appeared.
Those empty dark eyes went on to regard Touma briefly which he greeted back with an understanding smile that made the boy swiftly turn away as he walked to his room.
"If you idiots value your lives, just go home." Inari muttered softly, "There's no reason you have to die too."
Tsunami called off after her son, earning her a reply that he just wanted to go to his room to stare at the ocean. He shut the double slide doors behind him with a loud slam.
[-]
"I...apologize for Inari-kun's rude behavior."
It had been an hour since Kakashi had led the rest of Team-7 sans Touma to train in the nearby forest close to Tazuna's home, leaving him stuck in his futon with nothing to do. While Kakashi wasn't at one hundred percent yet, he still had enough strength to walk with the aid of crutches the visiting doctor had left them. Touma though was told to stay back for now, seeing as he was the most in critical need of bed rest.
He could barely stand on his own feet even with the aid of crutches. All he could really do right now was sit up and use his arms. Going to the bathroom was going to be a real pain later on.
Even though he agreed to help protect Tazuna however he could, he wasn't capable of doing much in his current condition. The battle with Zabuza had forced him to rest up in the meantime. And without the leisure's provided by Academy City's technology like TV, computers, or a view of the city, he was left with nothing else to do but lay in bed.
He couldn't even fall asleep now, caught thinking about his current predicament that him involved with guarding an old man and fighting possible assassins. Why the hell couldn't that Kamisato bastard drop him off in a world that had just discovered world peace?
At least he wasn't completely alone.
"It's alright, Tsunami-san. I may not know much about...well, anything to be perfectly honest, but I know not to pry into what's an obvious delicate matter. There's nothing to apologize for, so don't mar that motherly face with sadness."
The single mother, Tsunami, smiled lightly at Touma as she sat on her knees beside his bedside with disinfectant on hand.
Tazuna had been exhausted from the journey to Konohagakure and back, not to mention having to deal with such a terrifying figure like Zabuza after his life, that he had decided to sneak in a nice nap in his room. Inari remained in his room, refusing to go down even after Team-7 had left. Which left Tsunami to care for Touma and adjust his bandages when they came undone. Currently, she was applying disinfectant on the wound on the back of his head after noticing he had accidentally loosened them when he had been scratching them.
He would have done it himself, but the mature woman had insisted on being of some help however she could. Knowing not to argue with a motherly figure, Touma relented as she fixed his bandages.
"That's kind of you to say, Kamijou-san. And I am truly thankful for all that you ninja are doing in protecting Tou-san in his work to build a bridge. I know he was rather nervous to leave with all the money he could gather to hire Konoha ninja to guard for the remainder of the construction period. I just wish Inari-kun could see that." Tsunami sighed while applying the finishing touch to her patch-up job.
Touma winced at the sting of alcohol, "Than you should be thanking Hatake-san and his team, not me. I'm not even a ninja, to begin with. I guess you could say I'm just a tag-along, remember?"
Tsunami paused, suddenly recalling that the teenager she was caring for was indeed a civilian like herself. She had been listening in alongside her farther as the Konoha shinobi had been talking around the unconscious spiky-haired teen about a deadly assassin that she had heard whispers about. When the spiky-haired boy had arrived at her home alongside the other shinobi and her father, she had just automatically regarded him as part of their escort duty. It was only as the teen had been treated by an old friend of her father and woken up later that she had learned the truth.
A lost boy stranded in unknown land by unfortunate circumstances. He was just a foreigner who had no idea where he had found himself in before stumbling onto a group of ninja defending her father from Gato's men. From what she had heard from the conversation, he had been picked up on their way to Nami no Kuni so he could reach a village, only to be caught between a fight against Momochi Zabuza, The Demon in The Mist.
It was hard to believe that such an average looking teen had helped to stop Zabuza when he wasn't even a shinobi to begin with, even more so that he had agreed to help the Konoha ninja with keeping her father safe from harm. One would go as far as to say his selfless actions made him out as a hero.
The young mother's lips pursued unhappily.
"Why?"
Tsunami covered up her mouth as she accidentally spoke her mind with a slight hiss. Too late to take it back now no matter how rude the question came off as.
"Why, what?" The apparently dense teen asked.
Carefully, Tsunami wrestled with her hands as she looked down and asked her question.
"Why would you go through the trouble of helping us at all? You're not from our nation, or the nearby nations, and you're supposedly searching for a way back to your homeland. So, why would you bother to lend us a hand when all we can do to repay you is give you shelter for risking your life for our dreams? I don't mean to sound ungrateful because I am thankful for your assistance," Tsunami spoke gently, hoping to not offend the bedridden teen, "But don't you value your life? Gato...he's not to be underestimated slightly. He can make any problem that appears, disappear with a flash of Ryo in hand. People like us, who don't possess any special powers or skills like ninjas, aren't known to survive when standing in his way. I w-would know."
Nami no Kuni once had their own champion, a simple fisherman who had taught them to live with pride and fight for what they treasured with all their might. That kind, chivalrous, strong man was Inari's father not by blood but had more than earned the title before she married him. He was the hero who had saved their village during a terrible storm, a beloved father, and a source of inspiration for everyone.
Yet their hero, her husband, had been beaten publicly and executed in front of their village for daring to stand up to Gato and his men. Before her innocent son's eyes that the greedy monster had splattered his hero's blood.
Even great men like Kaiza would be crushed cruelly beneath the likes of Gato's foot. He was only an ordinary civilian like them, it shouldn't have surprised them that he wouldn't stand a chance against trained killers hired by Gato's infinite well of Ryo. Did he even stand a chance in the first place?
Because he refused to bow down and wait for the completion of Tazuna's bridge to free them, their hero had died a martyr.
"I just wanted...to let you know that you don't have to do anything out of pity or a sense of justice. Don't throw your life away so casually, Kamijou-san. Things such as heroes aren't so glorious to follow."
'What good will it do anyone to stand back and just let someone like Gato have his way? Even if it's at the risk of our own lives, why shouldn't we bother to try and stop him? After all, who wants to live in misery for the rest of their lives? If it's precious to you, why not fight with all your strength to protect it?'
Did that simple-minded boy even know how similar his words were to Kaiza's own?
"I'm not doing this out of something as convenient as a sense of justice or pity, Tsunami-san. If you're asking me why I'm willing to help you so easily then let me ask you something; Do you need a reason to save someone?"
"A reason to...save someone?"
"If someone asks for your help, do you really need time to wonder if they're worth lending a hand to? Do you really have to wait and think about whether you're okay with risking your life for someone who can't even cry out for help? Someone's standing in front of you, unable to reach out a hand for someone to take and left to be ignored by those who believe someone else will save them. Does that mean no one can be saved without a hard-earned reason? Because I can't think of any reason why I have to explain why I want to help you. Isn't it just the normal thing to do?"
Saving someone without any reason was...the normal thing to do? What sort of simple-minded thinking was that to live by? Saving a stranger without even thinking of what it would entail was-
Tsunami gripped her skirt tightly with a tremble overcoming her shoulders. Hot tears began to gather in her eyes that she refused to shed in front of the teen who-
'Kaiza-kun.'
Whose words were far too alike to the man who once held her heart in his simple-minded hands.
"You're an...odd one, Kamijou-san." Tsunami fought past the tears forming in her eyes to give the spiky-haired boy a warm smile. Strangely, she couldn't find it in herself to hate such a similarity.
Touma would have answered that with an annoyed scratch at the back of his head if it weren't for the fact Tsunami had fixed the gauze moments ago, "I'm just a normal teenager who's got nothing but shitty luck. I don't think it's flattering to be regarded as odd by such a kind and pretty woman like yourself, Tsunami-san."
Tsunami's smile only grew, giggling softly at the upset teen.
"Oh, pretty, you say? Kamijou-san, I'm flattered but I am older than you. If you start sweet-talking me now, I'm not sure how to possibly respond." she couldn't but tease to the blushing boy.
"Please don't tease this simple-minded Kamijou-san! Especially when you very closely resemble his ideal woman!"
Ideal woman?
Oh, now Tsunami couldn't help herself as she grinned mischievously with all traces of sadness banished. It had been some time since she could tease a man with her womanly charms. And with nothing to do but watch over such a reactive teen who had plenty of energy, she might as well have some fun.
As a single mother/widow, she didn't have many opportunities to let loose and have fun. Especially when her village was suffering a terrible period that turned many of the single men around into desperate, sullen, lazy, and frustrated figures unfit to chat around with; let alone flirt. And she had to admit, he was kinda cute and had a rather fit physic that wasn't overly muscled and lean.
Compared to Kakashi who was a shinobi, the kind of people she really didn't really feel comfortable with messing with due to their profession, Touma was the safer of the two and slightly reminded her of Kaiza. Plus it would help to kills some time if she had someone to talk to.
"My, Kamijou-san, you're rather bold to say that I closely resemble your ideal woman. Just what is a woman supposed to think when you say it like that? Surely you can't be serious. I am a mother, so wouldn't that disqualify me from any fantasy?" Tsunami sighed with a palm over her grinning mouth as she looked away in mock embarrassment.
Per Touma's usual lack of a filter in mind when talking about women, he spoke his honest opinion on the matter.
"Of course not! In fact, the very fact that you are a mother only makes you more attractive! It means you're mature, caring, and understanding. Unlike girls my age, you don't focus on meaningless things such as material possession, status, or social standing because you're above that. Plus that nurturing nature speaks to idiots like me who are seen as no good delinquents and makes us believe that you'll care for us no matter how many times we screw up. Why would I go after a girl when I could lose myself in the loving and warm embrace of an older woman?!"
W-Well that was...a lot more honest and revealing than what Tsunami was expecting. She had been expecting a sputtering blush and refusal to look her in the eyes; not for the bold teen to nearly take her by the hand and say such flattering words to her face so passionately.
Now it was her turn to blush and gulp anxiously.
"You think that a single mother like myself is really beautiful at my age?" she asked shyly.
"You kidding, I would have mistaken you for Inari's Onee-san rather than his Kaa-san. If I did, I'm sure I would have fallen head over heels for you." Touma grinned with a blush.
She was no Dorm Manager Onee-san from his dreams but she was still a beauty. If he wasn't a gentleman and more like Aogami, he would have called MILF. Hell, being a mother didn't really disqualify her since such a woman could be dorm managers too.
Tsunami giggled at the honest boy's expression. He really wasn't anything like the ninja and acted far more normal and freely than she would expect from someone who had been fighting against one of the Seven Swordsman of The Mist.
"So, you're saying I'm just the type of woman you'd fantasize about in your more...private moments?"
Touma chocked on his own spit at just the thought. Great, now he couldn't help but find his mind wandering into less than pure provocative images of the curvy MILF. Thank god for the blanket concealing any noticeable bumps.
"What's wrong, Kamijou-san? Bite your tongue? Would you like me to give that boo-boo a little peck?"
"YES, PLEASE TSUNAMI-ONEE-SAN!"
Now it was Touma's turn to slap his mouth shut out of embarrassment. Damn it, it was just like when he was teased by Oriana Thomson. A woman who emitted such a nurturing and motherly aura was his kryptonite. If Tsunami had voluptuous breasts as well, he would have been KO'd to his own teenage hormones. The way the single mother was leaning close to him, her eyes lidded, with a playful grin on her gorgeous face made his heartbeat rise to dangerous levels for a boy suffering from anemia.
Tsunami found herself snorting before laughing at the desperate plea from the bedridden boy. It was to the point she fell over on her side and had to hold her aching stomach from her laughter shaking her body. She swore her tears were making a return as Touma only pouted childishly at her response that seemed to hurt his male pride.
"It's not nice to play with a young man's heart, Tsunami-san! If you had actually been serious, I'm not sure I would have been able to reign in my raging hormones and crossed a rather dangerous line! Think about what Inari-san would think if he saw his Kaa-san teasing a random teenager who's practically naked!…Speaking of which; why aren't I wearing briefs?" Touma had to ask flatly as he suddenly noticed he was exposed below.
How did he realize such a crucial fact? The naked behemoth rising from its slumber was growing stiffer as it rubbed against the covers in the face of the playful woman who was dangerously close.
"If I remember correctly," Tsunami snickered at the madly blushing boy sitting up rather straight, "The doctor needed to remove your briefs due to risk of infection from the germs that would enter the cuts along your thighs. I have all of your clothing set aside to wash later, so in the meantime, you're going to have to go commando."
"...You didn't see anything, right?" he couldn't but ask self-consciously.
Tsunami winked, adding insult to injury as she rubbed Touma's leg with a growing blush.
"Wouldn't you like to know?"
There wasn't much rest for the wounded Touma as he was left to suffer at the teasing hands of a lonely single mother who was long overdue for a good laugh.
[-]
Once night had fallen and the sky grew dark enough to make out the stars above, Kakashi along with his students had finally returned. Other than their sensei, the young genin were sweaty, covered in dirt, and panting like dogs. They all but hit the floor as Touma had when they came back to their temporary residence. Even the ever silent faced Sasuke couldn't keep up a cool facade when he could barely walk straight.
Touma would have helped them up once they reached their sleeping quarters but was indisposed himself. As long as he was without briefs to protect his manhood from the innocent eyes of a young girl, he wasn't getting up unless it was absolutely necessary. He would have to wait until the morning which was when Tsunami said his clothes would be dried.
"How'd training go for you guys?" Touma mumbled over a plate of white rice, miso soup, and grilled fish he had been provided by Tsunami at his futon. He would have joined Tazuna's family at the dinner table but, you know, he was exposed! At least he had the company of the ninja who didn't have the strength or energy to sit at the table after their training.
"Trees, hate, climbing, stupid!" Naruto growled over mouthfuls of his meal over his side of the room.
"Right; how about you Uchiha-san?"
"Hn, hn, hn, hnn."
"Those aren't words, they're barely sounds," Touma commented flatly as Sasuke ignored him in favor of eating as furiously as Naruto. He swore they were locked in some kind of eating contest at this point. Which was weird to see since they were doing chowing down while sitting on their own futons.
The only one among those genin who wasn't eating like a pig or as exhausted was Sakura, who appeared disgusted by how even her crush was eating.
"What was that about climbing trees? Does that have to do with your shinobi training?"
Sakura nodded, groaning lightly as she was just as sore as her teammates, "Part of our training, while we wait for a possible attack from Zabuza again, involves walking up trees with the use of our chakra to maintain a constant focus. It's a very difficult exercise that not only builds stamina but will help us in performing complicated and draining jutsus in the future. The goal right now is to reach higher than what we're capable of and reach the very top."
"You seem awfully pleased with yourself though," Touma noted much to Sakura's pleasure.
"Naruto and Sasuke-kun haven't been able to make it past a quarter of the length of the tree but I've already made it to the top on my first try!" she stated proudly.
"And now you can climb trees? I don't get it, how is that suppose to help you guys stop a maniac with a broadsword taller than his body? Can't he also walk on water and fire dragon-shaped streams of water too?"
"It's called mastering the basics, Kamijou-san." Kakashi defended the deflated Sakura's achievements, "Without learning such hard to master basics, a ninja will never be able to graduate past the rank of genin. Once they've mastered control of their chakra, they'll be able to grow stronger than even me with time and training."
Touma didn't get it but shrugged. He wasn't a shinobi, so he wouldn't know about anything relating to how important chakra was. Up against Imagine Breaker, it was meaningless.
Downing the cup of tea nearby as he finished his dinner, Naruto wiped his mouth with his sleeve with a satisfied grin before turning to Touma eagerly.
"So, what about you Touma!? What kind of training are you going to be doing in preparation for No-Brows attack?"
Touma blinked at the word, "Training?"
"Yeah, training. Aren't you going to be practicing some super cool technique with your Imagine Breaker or something? Don't tell me you're just planning on holding yourself up here the entire time?" the fox-eyed boy asked with a head tilt.
Instead of answering, Touma regarded the staring shinobi strangely. It was a gaze no different than a middle school student being asked about college-level calculus by a professor.
"Training?"
"Yeah, training. You do train for your upcoming fights, right?"
"...Training?"
"If you keep repeating yourself, I'm going to resort to my old pranks and write insulting remarks over your sleeping face with a permanent marker, datte-bayo."
Touma scratched his sore bandaged neck, still unable to follow with what he was being asked.
"You say that as if I've ever trained for anything in my entire life. I'm a student where I come from, not some skilled fighter who's always eager for a brawl. Closest I've ever gotten to physical training back home would be all the physical exercises my busty amazon woman of a sensei would put me through; and that's when I was at school. And I was, sadly, hardly ever in class to begin with." Touma said between bites of his grilled fish.
"You mean...you've never been trained to fight; at all?" Sakura gaped at the nonchalant boy who had been fighting against such high-rank shinobi. Even Sasuke was staring at Touma like he was an idiot who had admitted to not being able to read at the age of twenty.
"Of course not! Unlike you kids, I was never interested in learning how to fight or use weapons. I was entirely focused on just passing my classes in school despite how close I was to failing due to a combination of bad grades and low attendance. What I do know are just moves I picked up during my run-ins with back alley thugs and other punks with supernatural powers. Not to mention most of my opponents go down with a couple of punches of Imagine Breaker since they've focused more on their powers and not their stamina." Touma explained simply to the ever-growing surprise of the shinobi.
Did they really expect a normal teen to have been training his entire life in hand-to-hand combat? What did they think his life was; a shounen manga? Learning how to fight properly was the last thing on his mind during the last six months that composed the current Kamijou Touma's life. It wasn't like he had a strong urge to be taught either. Up until now, Imagine Breaker had done most of the work in putting down opponents.
In most cases, there were those who didn't entirely rely on supernatural powers to fight. Saints were his Achilles heel due to their superhuman strength, durability, reflexes, and speed not being tied to their magic. Martial arts training probably would have been helpful those times, he would admit that.
"Am I to believe that you've never once received training in...anything at all? Not even your Imagine Breaker?" Kakashi mused with some fascination.
"Pretty much. I don't follow any disciple or style in any regard; it's all just," Touma trailed off at how he could perfectly explain his piss-poor techniques, "Instinctual? Half the time I don't even notice my body reacting at all to what would be a fatal hit. As for Imagine Breaker, everything I've learned since being born with it has been trial by fire. It's not exactly a documented power. When faced with the supernatural, I just have to have faith that whatever is trying to kill me will be negated and that I can settle the fight with a few hard punches to the face."
"You've been lucky then?" Sasuke scoffed.
"I wouldn't ever call anything associated with Imagine Breaker lucky. By the time I end the fight, I'm half-way across heaven's gate due to all the blood I've lost. What else would expect from a guy who isn't trained to be dealing with world-ending events? I've never been able to prepare for any of the disasters I stumble into, I was forced to brace myself and just work with what I had."
"World ending events?" Sasuke murmured with wide eyes.
Why wasn't anyone else reacting properly to what the older boy was saying? Half the things he was revealing were concerning.
"Yet you've been able to survive and keep up just enough to fight against a monster like Momochi Zabuza?" Sakura remarked with a strange stare at the point headed teen.
"I'd like to think I'm just a very stubborn guy."
"There's being stubborn and then there's being inhuman; pick one."
"Sakura-chan, why you have to stare at this simple Kamijou-san as if he were some creepy bug who just won't die no matter how many times you step on him?!"
'There's no doubt about it; Kamijou Touma is far more than he seems. But it seems not even the boy seems to recognize his own potential.'
As the young genin continued to grill their new comrade about his lack of training, Kakashi sat back as he put together everything he knew of the boy known as Kamijou Touma since their introduction hours ago.
A boy of fifteen years old, average height if not a bit taller than normal, spiky black hair, a rather plain yet lax face. Despite his profile being bland and boring, what laid beneath the surface was far more interesting and surprising. Normal was far from what could be used to perfectly describe their new companion. It would be insulting to the boy's true potential.
Incredible reflexes to danger, quick reaction time, durability far surpassing even a common jonins, a sharp eye, a tactical mind, high endurance, a strong mind and will against fearsome foes and an ability which erased matters relating to chakra. An untrained boy who was battle savvy and experienced enough to fight opponents who surpassed ordinarily trained jonin and menacing enough to freeze adult ninja with a cold sweat. With little else but his fists, Kamijou Touma clashed with Momochi Zabuza, negated every last one of his powerful jutsus, wounded the demon to the point of drawing blood, and even caused fear to well up in the swordsman's heart.
Without fear, without faltering, and without pause, Kamijou Touma overcame the crashing tide of curdling killer intent without any explanation or reason to fight for complete strangers.
And yet the spiky teen didn't realize what he was capable of?
Was that modesty speaking or sheer naivety?
'If such a boy was raised in a hidden village, I shudder to think of the kind of shinobi he would have become. If he truly is untrained, it only means all his skills were gained by experience instead of being taught by someone else. How many life-threatening battles would an ordinary person have to experience to attain such incredible reaction time to evade attacks from someone like Momochi Zabuza whose every strike is aimed to kill? I can't simply accept his own admission of being nothing more than weak after seeing for myself how his presence eventually brought tension and anxiety to such a blood-stained shinobi.'
In Kakashi's mind, the figure that was Kamijou Touma was shrouded in an air of mystery, foreboding, and pressure. There was a sharpness to those ordinary dark blue eyes which betrayed the words of normalcy he spoke of casually.
Whatever the reasons for Kamijou Touma's refusal to accept being anything more than background character better forgotten in the crowd, Kakashi knew such a figure was far more useful than he believed.
Asking for a stranger's aid on an official mission wasn't what many in Kakashi's field would call a good idea. It was rather irrational if he was to be honest. Normally, he would have never thought twice about including a civilian into such matters.
He couldn't explain it, but something was just screaming at him to include the boy who fought a demon into their party. Call it ninja's intuition or what you will; Kakashi threw aside his teachings as a shinobi and asked for help from an ordinary boy who was not part of this land.
'I'll simply have to wait and see what kind of surprises such a boy will bring to the table then. If all goes well, I might have just found a diamond in the rough in plain sight. Wouldn't that be something?'
Truly, this once simple mission was going to be a rather interesting adventure for Team-7.
Reason? Does such a thing even need to be provided to throw your right hand out to the poor illusion born of greed and cruelty by one man?
It doesn't matter if this is not your world. It doesn't matter if these are not your people. It doesn't matter if none of those crying out will ever thank you. It doesn't matter if you're confused and uncertain of what to do next.
Before the tides of a nation without heroes or champions, banish the illusion of titles.
Courage has no requirement to fight.
We're now officially in Nami no Kuni! Oh, what is to be expected with the inclusion of one high school boy to this setting of hopelessness? Misfortune, what else?!
This chapter was more for setting up the set before any more action rears its head. The next chapter is where things start to dive into new territory that wasn't included in the original arc. If you thought Zabuza Vs. Touma was rough, wait until you see the next two fights to come.
Oh? And what's this? Is that the Kami-yan Disease I see beginning to rear its head? Jeez, the risk of infection really is high, huh?
That's all for now. It was either I update A Certain Maelstrom of Misfortune or A Certain Influx of Time Traveling Misfits. Seeing as I had already finished a great deal of editing before and simply needed to do one more read through while answering reviews and writing the Authors Notes, I decided on this fella. I'll probably upload again sometime this month. So, be patient!
I got work in the morning, so one more hour of Genshin Impact, otherwise known as Breath of The Waifus, before bed. God is that game addicting.
Read and Review. It's common courtesy.
NeoShadows fading in and out.
