"..." Normal chat.

ABC. Thought.

Chapter 14

Being the only one left standing, the melee-type robot gets aggressive and begins to chase after anyone in sight. Utilizing any weapon it possesses in order to bring them down.

The way it changes from offensive mode to defensive mode and vice versa is so perfect that no one can get near or find its weakness.

"H-Hey, any plan for this one yet?"

As their stamina are running low from all the dodging and running, the team 7 is starting to get nervous.

Ugh... Instead of destroying the ranged type first. Using its gel to get rid of the melee-type first would have made our fight so much easier.

Nina's starting to regret for having made such hasty decision after thoroughly calculating their situation.

"Guys, I still have enough energy to initiate some attacks."

Eventually, she suggests to handle the last one by herself.

"No way! That's too dangerous. I'm not letting you go in there alone!"

However Naruto dismisses the idea. Telling her not to trust their enemy to strictly follow the rule 24/7. And the others seem to agree with him as well.

"I also believe that is suicidal. You can barely walk straight, Nina-chan."

Therefore Sakura asks Nina to reconsider.

"Then how about we..."

In the end, they've come to conclusion to act as a team. With Nina going up front and the others at the back to act as supporters.

"Is everyone good?"

On the count of three, everyone charges forward.

Once Nina gets near, the robot withdraws its saw blade. Using that as an advantage, Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura jump forward to hold its limbs so that Nina can strike without difficulties.

When Nina's dagger is about to reach its core however, the robot does a 360 degrees spin with its upper body and hits everyone out of the way to protect itself.

"Ugh! Ouch!"

Both Nina and Naruto are sent flying onto a tree. While Sasuke lands onto the ground and rolls a few more rounds before finally stopping. And Sakura falls onto on of the bushes far away.

"Sakura, are you okay?!"

Since Nina's a few steps away from where Sakura's lying, she crawls to her and finds that Sakura's fainted. Luckily, she isn't in any critical condition. Only receives several scratches on her skin and clothes because of the branches.

"Ouch... That's hurt!"

Naruto groans in pain. As he tries to get up, his hand touches something metallic lying next to him and cause it to emits a *Beep* sound. Causing him to jump in surprise.

"W-What the heck?!"

Feeling paranoid by the sudden movement and loud mechanical noises, Naruto quickly hides himself behind a tree for protection.

After spending half a minute to make sure that everything's safe, he steps out of his cover to look for the source of that strange sound and finds the robotic arm from earlier.

Hey, isn't this belong to the melee type that has its arm cut off by Nina-chan?

Now that it's turned into a sturdy looking long-blade, which those machines have used in attempts of cutting them into pieces back from the beginning.

"What are you standing like an idiot for?"

Out of curiosity, Sasuke approaches him to take a look. And upon seeing the weapon lying on the ground, he instantly figures out what his friend is trying to do.

"Hey, Sasuke. Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"

"Come on, Sakura. Wake up!"

As the killing machine is searching for them by scanning every corner with its laser, Nina desperately drags an unconscious Sakura to a safer place. But they won't be able to get much further since Nina's legs are injured due to the impact from earlier.

"Nina-chan! All we need to do is smash its core, right?!"

Suddenly, Nina hears Naruto's shouting and his footsteps from afar.

"Naruto?! What are you doing?!"

Turning around, she sees both Naruto and Sasuke holding a giant blade in their arms and charging at the robot. After they evade the energy beam coming at them, the robot tries to attack with the round saw blades attached in both hands.

Immediately, Naruto and Sasuke crouching down to dodge the upcoming blade and thrust the blade forward. Stabbing it at the middle of its body, through burning core and shatters it into pieces.

Once done, they jump out of the way and watch their enemy self-destructs at the spot.

"Good job!"

Needless to say Nina's amazed by their incredible team work.

"Is Sakura-chan okay?!"

When returning to Nina's spot and finding Sakura lying unconscious, Naruto's greatly concerned. Though he quickly calms down after being assured that she'll be fine.

"Don't you think it's time for you to tell us what is going on?"

Now that they've stepped too deep into this mess, to the point of almost risking their lives. Sasuke demands an honest answer from her.

"Sigh... As you guys have already seen, I am their primary target. But the reason is still unknown to me."

Only then, Nina opens up about her situation to them.

It turns out that those robots come from the same place as hers. Somewhere really far away, out of reach to anyone. But thanks to their owner possessing high level of technology, it can be covered easily.

By creating a quick transport device, they can travel to any place within various dimensions. And that is the black hole which everyone has seen earlier.

"There's nothing special about my past that I can remember. Except being adopted by Ryu nii-sama at eight years old and lived with him ever since."

In the end, Nina apologizes for not capable of providing any more details.

"It's alright. We know that you tried."

And Naruto tells her not to stress herself over too much. Since there's still a lot of time for them to get to know each other, and if possible, he'd like to help Nina to discover the truth with her someday.

"..."

Despite not saying much in this, Sasuke seems to willingly follow with Naruto's long term plan. Also not forgetting to comment about the whole thing better be worthy of his time.

While Sakura has yet to awake to be able to express her opinion, they believe that she's going to join in as well.

Everyone will have to focus on their own paths. That's why I do not want to become a hindrance to them.

However, Nina finds it may not be the case. When Chuunin exam is coming close and dragging a few hundred of dramas along with it.

She can try holding onto her plan until the story comes to an end to ask for help. But Nina doubts that she will have enough patience to wait until then...

"Thank you, Naruto, Sasuke."

Still, Nina's grateful for their kindness.

"Come on. Let's go home."

As they're about to set off, however, Nina worries that bringing Sakura home while she's still being unconscious may draw unnecessary attention from others.

"She'll wake up. Eventually."

Though Sasuke insists on leaving. Stating that if Sakura has yet to wake up when they arrive to the village. They can wait outside of the village's gate till she does as it's safer than staying in the middle of a forest.

And it's not until everyone's halfway toward to Konoha's gate that Sakura regains her consciousness.

"Hmm?"

Waking up, she finds herself being carried on Naruto's back while Nina and Sasuke are walking nearby. Everyone is talking to each other and looking worn out.

"It's not just consuming Ki, is it?"

Then, she hears Sasuke asking Nina about something.

"You're right, it isn't."

And she sees her nods in response.

"I truly do not know what this power is about. Or how I get it in the first place."

Therefore Nina explains to them that once it's activated, her senses and abilities are enhanced greatly. Perhaps even more if she's willing to give it all.

"However, it comes with a price."

Which is that her Ki will be emptied within seconds, just as they have witnessed. If going over limit, this technique will consume her life as replacement.

"Life?!"

It's then they understand why Nina becomes extremely weak after using that power. And her body's temperature reaches abnormally high during the progress is considered a side effect.

"Using your own life as a source of power?! That's too much! You have to get rid of it!"

Naruto's the first one voice out his objection about this crazy technique.

"Impossible, I cannot get rid a part of myself."

As Nina feels that the more she's abusing her power, the closer she is to understand it. To be able to figure out what she truly is. Just how can I let such good opportunity slip away?

"I agree with Naruto about that technique is dangerous. Nina-chan."

Sakura also expresses her concern that Nina's taking her life too lightly. However, it seems that her words don't reach to Nina's heart.

"It's fine. I'll live."

From that moment, everyone realizes that Nina can get extremely stubborn when her special power is involved.

Once reaching to the Konoha's gate, everyone's asked to keep what happened today as a secret by Nina. As she concerned about not wanting to gain more troubles than she already had.

Fortunately for them, Kakashi was nowhere in sight. Since it would be one hell of a problem to explain to him why they're injured and went outside of the village without permission.

Exhausted and overwhelmed by the incident, they decided to part their ways and called it a day.

Nina's apartment, Fourth floor.

"Nina-chan!"

When unlocking the door to get in, Nina hears Naruto's voice calling for her from behind.

"I don't want us to fight because of my affairs. Please, stay out of this. Naruto."

Clearly knows his reason for coming, Nina warns him.

"So that you can just jump around risking your life recklessly? That's not going to happen!"

Naruto's not going to give up on persuading her. However that isn't going to make Nina back down either.

"Sigh... I'm not jumping around and risking anything."

Too tired to deal with his attitude, Nina turns away and tries to break off their conversation.

"Beside. How I am going use my power is none of your concern, Naruto."

She doesn't want to say anymore hurtful to him. As the innocent face and those deep blue eyes of his, have already been painted with disappointment and sadness.

"What do you mean it's none of my concern?! You are my friend and I care for you!"

Despite his genuine feelings, Nina doesn't faze as she's already made up her mind. For a long time ago.

"...And as a friend, I'm asking you a favor."

Therefore she says, her voice is as calm as ever as she steps into her room.

"Don't get in my way."

Nina closes the door and locks it right before his face. Ending their conversation within a heart beat.

The next morning.

Nina's room.

Still not recover from the last battle, I have to stay in bed until be able to walk properly again. And it's either crawling or hugging the wall to move around whenever I need something.

"What do you mean it's none of my concern?! You are my friend and I care for you!"

After what happened yesterday, I couldn't bring myself to sleep. Whenever recalling to Naruto's face when he's being told to go away, I couldn't help but feeling guilty. But it's already too late to turn back.

Ugh! If only Momiji is here to give me some advice. She's always good at dealing with these kind of stuff.

And if Naruto brings that topic up again, which he probably will, we will end up arguing even more.

Also, about those robots...

Back then, I was quite sure that none of those robots could create a portal by themselves.

This is the proof that they've been upgraded.

All in order to capture me from another dimension and turn this world upside down. Still, we were lucky that these robots functioned like their old models. If they're upgraded, who knows what kind of disaster they are going to befall.

To be honest, I had hoped that everyone didn't come for the rescue. Not only it's too dangerous, but also those robots... they could turn out to be my ticket to go home.

If I didn't mess things up, no one would be here making a fuss about how I used my power. Or Naruto and I wouldn't have to fight.

Sigh.. My mind is a total big mess and my body isn't really helping either.

Lying on my bed cleaning the twin daggers, which have gotten dirty from the last fight, I let out a sigh. Getting nervous from the gloomy future waiting ahead of me.

"Nina-chan, we're here to visit. Can we come in?"

My train of thoughts are interrupted by several knocks on the door. It's Sakura's voice.

"Sure. Come on in."

Appearing behind the wooden door are the three familiar silhouettes. Naruto on the right side of Sakura, who is carrying a fruit basket in her hand, and Sasuke is on her left.

Since there aren't enough chairs around, they decide to sit on my bed to talk.

"They seem important to you."

As soon as she sees the twin daggers lying in my hand, Sakura asks me. Recalling how I always carrying these weapons around despite barely using them.

"These daggers are a gift from someone very dear to me on my birthday."

Whenever feeling lonely, I take these daggers out just to stare at them. As they reminds me of the happy memories from the past, when I was enjoying my little carefree life with everyone at home.

"I'm sorry, it's because of me that..."

After hearing my story, Sakura apologizes for having ruined it in the battle against the robots.

"It's not your fault. Sakura."

If I minded about the dagger being damaged, I wouldn't have suggested her trying it in the first place.

"As long as these daggers staying inside their sheath, the blade will heal. Though progress is quite slow."

My twin daggers are crafted from a recovery rune which can be found in my town. The name works exactly like how its called, recovering and healing. And both of my daggers along with its sheath are a set.

"Really?! That's good to hear!"

When being explained how the daggers work, Sakura's face brighten up almost immediately.