Naruto watched in amazement as the two sword wielders clashed, their movements fluid and graceful. Peko's attacks were fast and precise, her footwork nimble and agile. But Sasuke was able to predict Peko's moves and perfectly counterattack.
"They're so cool!" Naruto thought to himself, his eyes practically glued to the sparring match. He had never seen anything quite like it.
Despite Peko's relentless offense, Sasuke remained calm and composed, his defense impenetrable. He deflected each strike with ease, his movements economical and efficient. He was testing Peko's capabilities, probing her defenses, looking for any opening he could exploit.
After several minutes of intense sparring, Sasuke finally decided to shift his strategy. Instead of merely defending, he began to counterattack, his strikes swift and precise. Peko, taken by surprise by Sasuke's sudden shift in tactics, found herself on the defensive, struggling to keep up with his speed and power.
The clash of wooden swords grew more intense as Sasuke's attacks grew more frequent and forceful. Peko, however, refused to back down, meeting each strike with unwavering determination. She was skilled, but she could feel that Sasuke was holding back, as if he were deliberately handicapping himself to make the fight more even. Peko understood this situation. They were fighting equally with their skills in swordsmanship.
Naruto, observing the sparing fight in the corner, started to notice something. "Incredibly, they are evenly matched..." he thought, his eyes widening. "Is it because Sasuke is holding back? No, even if Sasuke used his full power, their skill in swordsmanship is equal..."
As the sparring match continued, the two combatants grew more and more intense. Sasuke, starting to notice that their skills were evenly matched, started to change his fighting style. Despite fighting with his non-dominant hand, he was starting to close the gap, his attacks growing more aggressive with each passing moment. He then switched his hands from left to right mid-fight, making it clear that Sasuke was indeed ambidextrous. Peko, noticing Sasuke switching his hands from left to right, was caught off guard, as Sasuke instantly switched his hand automatically. Even Naruto noticed that Sasuke was switching his hands from left to right.
Naruto's jaw dropped. "Woah! How is that possible? Sasuke is switching his hands mid-swing! That's insane!" He exclaimed, unable to contain his excitement. He'd only ever heard of ambidextrous swordsmen in legends, never seen one in action.
Peko, however, didn't have time to marvel at Sasuke's dexterity. The sudden shift in his stance had thrown her off balance, and she found herself struggling to readjust her defenses. Sasuke, seizing the opportunity, pressed his attack, his strikes growing faster and more unpredictable.
Despite the pressure, Peko refused to falter. She quickly adapted to Sasuke's ambidextrous style, her movements becoming more fluid and responsive. She analyzed his attacks, predicting his movements and countering with precision and skill. The sparring match intensified, the clash of wooden swords echoing through the dojo with increasing ferocity.
Sasuke, impressed by Peko's adaptability, smirked. "Not bad, Pekoyama," he said, his voice laced with admiration. "You're even better than I anticipated."
Peko, however, remained silent, her focus unwavering. She knew that the sparring match was far from over and that Sasuke was still holding back. She could sense the latent power simmering beneath his stoic exterior, waiting to be unleashed. Then Sasuke attacked, dashing at Pekoyama with inhuman speed as he raised his left hand and swung it towards Peko. But Peko managed to deflect Sasuke's attack. As Sasuke's sword bounced back, little did Pekoyama know, Sasuke had a counterattack ready.
Sasuke's left hand reaching to his back, he switched the sword from his left hand to his right hand behind his back, and with superhuman speed, performed a stabbing attack aimed at Peko's head. Peko saw the attack and was able to turn her head to her left side, dodging the attack in time. As Sasuke's wooden sword managed to slide past to Pekoyama's right side of her face, the speed of Sasuke's stab managed to cut Peko's right cheek.
A thin line of blood welled up on Peko's right cheek, tracing a crimson path down her pale skin. Her eyes widened in surprise, not from the pain but from the sheer speed and precision of Sasuke's attack. She had barely managed to react in time, and even then, she had sustained a minor injury.
Naruto gasped, his hand instinctively moving to his mouth. "Peko!" he cried out, his voice filled with concern. He was about to rush forward to check on her, but he hesitated, knowing that interrupting the sparring match would only make things worse.
Sasuke, however, remained unfazed by the turn of events. He lowered his kendo sword, his expression as stoic as ever. "My apologies, Pekoyama," he said, his voice calm and measured. "I did not intend to injure you." He might be telling the truth, but he was certainly being serious.
Peko, her hand lightly touching her bleeding cheek, with her left hand. She stared at Sasuke with a mixture of respect and astonishment. She had sparred with countless opponents in her life, but none had ever pushed her this far. Sasuke's skill was undeniable, and his speed and precision were unmatched. She could tell that he was still holding back, that he was capable of even greater feats of swordsmanship.
"It's alright, Uchiha-san," she said, her voice steady despite the blood trickling down her face. "It was my own fault for being careless. I underestimated your abilities."
Sasuke nodded in acknowledgment, his gaze unwavering. "You are a formidable opponent, Pekoyama," he said, his voice laced with genuine admiration. "Your skill with a sword is truly exceptional." He said in a respectful tone. You managed to match me even though I was fighting you ambidextrously while you only used your right hand. He said towards her. Your truly is skill at your abilities in blade.
A faint smile played on Peko's lips. "Thank you," she said, her voice softening slightly. "But I still have much to learn." Which made Sasuke smirked in approval.
Naruto, seeing that Peko was alright, breathed a sigh of relief. He couldn't help but be impressed by both Sasuke and Peko's skills. They were truly masters of their craft, their movements fluid and graceful, their strikes swift and deadly. It was a spectacle to behold, a testament to the dedication and discipline required to reach the pinnacle of swordsmanship.
Sasuke held the handle of the sword with both of his hands, tightening his grip on the kendo sword. Let's finish this fight, once and for all, Pekoyama... He said serious expression.
A surge of determination coursed through Peko. She adjusted her stance, her eyes narrowing, the respect she held for Sasuke now solidified into a fierce resolve. The slight sting on her cheek served as a reminder of his skill, a challenge she was eager to overcome. The playful sparring had evolved into a serious contest, a battle of wills as much as a display of swordsmanship.
"I couldn't agree more, Uchiha-san," Peko replied, her voice firm. "Let us see who truly holds the edge."
With a renewed intensity, Peko and Sasuke launched at each other with superhuman speed. Peko swung an attack, her movements faster and more aggressive than before. She aimed a series of quick, precise strikes at Sasuke's vital points, her blade dancing through the air with deadly grace. Sasuke met her assault head-on, his defense unwavering, his movements fluid and economical. He parried each strike with perfect timing, his kendo sword deflecting Peko's attacks with effortless ease.
Peko gripped the handle of her kendo sword with both hands. She raised it to her shoulder as she swung with another powerful attack, moving in a blindingly swift strike aimed at Sasuke's neck. Sasuke saw Peko's attack, instantly switched his kendo sword to his left hand, and blocked the attack in time. Peko wasn't done; she spun her entire body and delivered a very powerful and lightning-fast left swing at Sasuke. Sasuke again saw the attack and again switched his grip to his right hand and parried the attack in time.
Sasuke then decided to attack; he swung his sword, aiming at Peko's head, but Peko saw the attack and blocked it with her sword, using both hands. Sasuke then reversed his grip on his kendo sword and swung his right hand, aiming at Peko's head. Peko managed to turn her head as she saw Sasuke's sword slowly moving towards her face. The tip of Sasuke's sword touched softly to Peko's glasses as her pupil followed the move of Sasuke's tip. Peko dashed to Sasuke's right side, creating distance. Sasuke turned towards Peko; they were at a distance.
Naruto, observing the sparing fight in the corner, started to notice something. "Incredible, they are indeed evenly matched..." he thought, his eyes widening. "I know I already said this, but I can't help but say it again..." He thought, feeling flabbergasted by the clash of the two swordsmanships. He felt hyped at their fight, as if he were watching an anime fight scene. He held Sasuke's chokutō sheath tightly with both hands.
Naruto noticed that Sasuke was starting to have fun. He worried for him because when they were at the gym earlier, he was antagonistic towards their classmates, especially Akane and Gundham. But now Naruto saw that Sasuke was enjoying himself sparring with Pekoyama. This couldn't help but make Naruto smile as well.
The two were suddenly in front of one another in the middle of the dojo, their kendo swords held against each other. It was amazing to see that the swords had stayed intact throughout the whole fighting session as the two were going at it pretty hard. Their expressions were serious. Their faces were full of determination. Neither doubted the other's skill. They could both tell that the other was a warrior, so they wouldn't make the mistake of underestimating one another.
Fuyuhiko was close to yelling at the gigantic fool who followed after him through the halls of Hope's Peak Academy. The yakuza didn't really have a goal in mind. He just wanted to be alone and see what he could find around here. Nekomaru had wanted to check out any of the training facilities in the school, but Fuyuhiko had refused. He wasn't into that sort of thing. This inevitably led to the current conundrum they were facing.
"You need to have more spirit in you, Kuzuryu. Otherwise, you'll be destined to fail!" Nekomaru said with a laugh.
"T'ch. Don't start lecturing me, dumbass. I know what I need!" Fuyuhiko said with annoyance.
Nekomaru grinned widely. "Then how about I take you under my wing? I promise to lead you to greater heights! Not only as a leader but also as an athlete!"
Fuyuhiko's eyebrow twitched. "That makes no sense. I'm no athlete."
Nekomaru looked over Fuyuhiko's body. "It's true. You lack the appropriate muscle mass. However, that doesn't mean you can't get there with hard work. With the right diet and training regime, I'm sure you'll see yourself blossoming into an even greater athlete! I guarantee that. Otherwise, MY NAME ISN'T NIDAI NEKOMARUUUUUUUU!"
It was just like what Fuyuhiko thought. This guy was extremely loud. But another part of him, one that he didn't like to admit existed, was glad that the team manager was talking to him like this. It had been a very long time since anyone talked to him casually. People were usually afraid of him since he was the heir of the biggest yakuza gang in the country. Not that he could blame them. It just got a bit lonely after a while, though.
'Maybe… Peko and I can finally have something here…' Fuyuhiko thought, thinking of Peko and if she was okay with these two pairs. At that moment, that hope was etched into Fuyuhiko's heart. It was something else that he would never admit, though.
The pair continued up the stairs as Nekomaru tried to get Fuyuhiko to follow his training program. He managed to hide it well, but if one looked closely, they would see a small smile on Fuyuhiko's face.
The conversation soon stopped, however, when Nekomaru heard something down the hall. The two were now on the fifth floor without being aware of it. Their back and forth had kept them more entertained than they realized.
"Hmm. This is…..." Nekomaru said as he heard something.
Fuyuhiko looked at the team manager. "Something wrong?"
"You don't hear it?" Nekomaru walked closer to the noise. "It sounds like… two people are trading blows with one another."
"Huh?" Fuyuhiko didn't hear anything. But as he followed Nekomaru, the noise began to register in his ears. Unlike Nekomaru, Fuyuhiko realized what the noise was, though. He had been hearing it for a very long time. Ever since he was a little kid, in fact.
'Peko…!' Fuyuhiko thought, thinking that Pekoyama was in danger. Acting on instinct, Fuyuhiko ran full speed toward the noise.
"Hey!" Nekomaru was caught off guard by this but soon followed. He was both surprised and delighted to see that Fuyuhiko was pretty fast if he wanted to be.
The noise led the two boys to the dojo. The doors had been left wide open, so they were able to see what was going on inside. It went without saying that it surprised them both. Sasuke and Peko were fighting, while Naruto was spectated on the sidelines.
Words had not been spoken between Sasuke and Peko for some time now, as the two looked like blurs as they continued to strike at one another throughout the dojo, moving with inhuman speed. While Naruto spectated on the sidelines, hyped as fuck.
While Sasuke and Peko exchanged slashes at one another, their bodies moved with inhuman speed. For Sasuke, who had been trained in the art of kenjutsu through his shinobi life, found a worthy opponent through Peko. Even though Sasuke is millions of times stronger than Peko if he used his true power, their sword fighting techniques were equally matched, as he hates to admit but he was having fun fighting her. If only Peko had the power to match Sasuke's true power, she might give him a run for his money.
For Peko, who had been holding a sword all her life, also found Sasuke as her worthy opponent, that could match her sword fighting skills easily. As she could tell that Sasuke was indeed a very skilled swordsman, like herself. The fact that Sasuke could switch his sword with both hands while in mid-fight was astonishing to her. She had never seen someone instantly switch off his both hands automatically. And not just that, his strikes were precise and accurate as well. His techniques with the sword were amazing as well. They were communicating through their slashes of their blades, and people might not know, including Naruto. But this is how swordsmen communicate through the clash of their swords.
But where was the fun in that? Because that's the thing: Peko was having fun. It was the first time she had felt this way when practicing her swordsmanship. It wasn't that she hated it. In fact, more often than not, it calmed her down. At the same time, the only reason she took up the sword was so that she could stand alongside her young master. It was a constant reminder to her of her destiny as a tool. That's why she had never really had fun when dueling with others. Not until today, she tested her skills with Sasuke, who is as good of a swordsman as she is.
Then Sasuke and Peko finally dashed at each other with their one final attack. Peko held the handle of her sword with both hands as she swung her sword downward with a powerful downswing. Sasuke as well held the handle of his sword with both hands as he swung his sword upward with a powerful upswing. As their kendo swords connected each other through their strength, their swords broke and were sent flying in the air, as the broken parts of the kendo swords landed at their feet. As the two were facing back to back.
A hush fell over the dojo as the broken remnants of the kendo swords clattered to the floor. Sasuke and Peko remained motionless, their backs to each other, chests heaving with exertion. The air was thick with tension, the silence broken only by their ragged breaths. Naruto, gripping Sasuke's chokutō, could only stare in awe, his mind struggling to process the sheer intensity of the battle he had just witnessed. It was a stalemate, a testament to their equal skill and unwavering determination.
Sasuke broke the silence first. "Hmph," he grunted, a hint of respect lacing his tone. "Not bad, Pekoyama. You are indeed a worthy opponent." He said as he turned to face Peko.
Peko, after a moment, turned to face Sasuke, a faint smile gracing her lips. "The same could be said of you, Uchiha-san," she replied, her voice steady despite her fatigue. "Your skill with a sword is truly remarkable."
Sasuke nodded, acknowledging her compliment. "You forced me to use more of my skills than I anticipated," he admitted, his gaze unwavering. "You are the first I have faced in a long time to push me this far."
Peko held the handle of her broken sword with her right hand, while Sasuke held the broken kendo sword in his left hand. "That was a nice sparring match, Pekoyama..." He said with a smirk.
Peko nodded and spoke. "I know..." she said to Sasuke. "It was the first time I felt any excitement through it." She said as she raised her hands and looked at her left hand, and his right hand still holding the broken kendo sword.
Sasuke smirked and spoke. "I know... I hate to admit it, but I too had some fun. It's been a long time since I felt joy fighting someone equal to my skill..." He said to Peko. "And you know what, let's do this sometime..."
Peko's eyes widened as she felt her cheeks burn red at the compliment. She hadn't known that he would suggest that they would spar again. She hadn't felt this happy in such a long time that she had forgotten how to. "But now I am? Sure..." She said, agreeing to Sasuke.
Naruto, who had been practically bouncing on the balls of his feet with excitement, finally let out a long, shaky breath. "Whoa…" he whispered, his eyes wide with awe. "You two were… incredible!" He couldn't find the words to properly describe the intensity and skill he had just witnessed. "I know you two were equally matched by your sword fighting skills."
Sasuke smirked and agreed with Naruto. "Hmph, indeed..." He said with closed eyes, his smirk still present.
Fuyuhiko, who had been watching the entire exchange with a growing sense of protectiveness, couldn't help but feel a surge of anger and a bit of jealousy. He saw the cut on Peko's right cheek, as he hated seeing Peko injured, even if it was just a minor cut. Then he noticed that everyone was here, all of their classmates. They were all in the entrance of the dojo.
"Oh my~ Such an intense atmosphere~ Ibuki feels like she'll be swept away~" She said loudly, making the three hear what she said.
Naruto, Sasuke, and Peko's eyes widened as they heard Ibuki's voices. They turned to the entrance of the dojo only to find that their whole class was there, watching them. They had been so focused on each other that they hadn't noticed anyone show up.
Naruto pointed his index finger at his classmates and said. "Since when were you guys here..." He said to his classmates.
Sasuke's smirk disappeared into a frown as he looked at his class with a serious expression.
Peko's smile also disappeared as it returned to a serious expression again.
Nagito smiled and said. "When the epic clash happened, of course..." He said to Naruto. "And I can say, you guys were having fun here..."
Naruto chuckled and spoke. "Oh, ahh... not really, it's Peko and Sasuke who were the ones who had some fun, I was just watching them..."
Sonia's face displayed her excitement. "Ooooooooohhhh~ I too had my doubts about you being a Japanese ninja, Uzumaki-san," who only ignored what she said. "But you two!" She looked at Peko and especially Sasuke. "And you two were wonderful as well, Pekoyama-san, keeping up with the Japanese Shinobi, Uchiha-san. You two really showed an amazing performance. It's incredible!" She said, clapping her hands together.
Peko, looking from the side, let out a sigh in order to calm down her heart and her nerves. "Thank you..." She said to Sonia, while Sasuke ignored her compliments.
Mahiru laughed awkwardly. "Umm. Sonia-san, ninjas and shinobi are only from Japan, you know.?"
Hiyoko huffed and looked away. "Stupid princess…"
"Let her be!" Kazuichi shouted, jumping to defend his new love. "It's just some…...culture shock! That's all!"
Hiyoko huffed at Kazuichi and said. "Hmph... What a simp..." she said with a mischievous smile.
Kazuichi's cheeks turned red and said. H-hey I'm not a simp... He said, feeling embarrassed by Hiyoko's words.
"Yeah yeah, whatever..." Hiyoko said, not believing his words one bit.
Akane then pointed her index finger at Peko, her expression slightly angry. "Hey, how is it fair that you're the one that fought Mr. Pretty Boy over here and not me? I have been declaring a challenge to him back in the gym..." She said with a pouted expression. Which Sasuke frowned a bit, as she called him a Mr. pretty boy.
Akane turned to Sasuke and said. "And I was right all along! You are strong!" Akane smirked and raised her fists. "I wanna fight you, Uchiha-san! But forget the swords! I wanna fight you in a fist fight!" She said to Sasuke, but Sasuke was not interested in fighting her.
Sasuke's brow furrowed. He was never one for frivolous battles, especially not against someone who seemed to rely purely on brute strength. "I have no interest in fighting you with or without a weapon," he stated flatly, turning his back on Akane. "It would be a waste of my time."
Akane bristled at the dismissal, her fists clenching tighter. "What? You scared, pretty boy? Don't tell me the great Uchiha is afraid of a little hand-to-hand combat!" She taunted, trying to goad him into a fight.
"Hmph... do not be mistaken, woman..." Sasuke said coldly at Akane. "I can fight you in hand-to-hand combat if I wanted to; I just don't have any interest in fighting you..." He said, "Instead, if you truly want to fight in hand-to-hand combat, challenge the blonde idiot right there..." Sasuke said, pointing at Naruto. "He is as skilled as I am in hand-to-hand combat."
Akane looked at Naruto and remembered the time she saw these two. She noticed that Naruto was also strong, like Sasuke. But she didn't know that Naruto was good at hand-to-hand combat.
Naruto looked at Sasuke and said. "Huh, why me..." He said, holding Sasuke's chokutō handle.
Sasuke raised his eyebrows and spoke coldly. "Why not? You're as good at taijutsu as I am, remember..."
Naruto blinked, surprised by Sasuke's sudden endorsement. He hadn't been expecting to be thrust into the spotlight, especially not after witnessing the intense spar between Sasuke and Peko. Still, he wasn't one to back down from a challenge, especially if it meant proving himself.
Naruto's cheeks had a small blush as he looked to his side and stretched his hand. "Yeah, I know I'm good at taijutsu... but I don't want to fight someone..." He said, scratching the back of his head.
Akane, however, was not one to be deterred by Naruto's reluctance. A predatory grin stretched across her face as she locked her gaze on the blonde shinobi. "C'mon, blondie, don't tell me you're scared either! I saw you stopping Mr. Pretty Boy earlier back in the gym; you've got a good build for fighting. Let's see what you're made of!" she challenged, her voice laced with excitement.
Naruto sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly. He really didn't want to fight, especially not in front of the entire class. He was still trying to adjust to this new school, this new world, and the last thing he needed was to get into a brawl. And of course, he still remembered what he promised the Sage of Six Paths as well. But Akane's persistence, coupled with Sasuke's silent encouragement, made it difficult to refuse.
"Okay, alright, I'll fight you," Naruto conceded, raising his hands in a gesture of surrender. "But let's do it later, okay? I'm kinda hungry right now..." He said, making Akane understand.
Akane's grin widened even further, her eyes gleaming with anticipation. "Alright, alright, I can wait," she said, though a hint of impatience laced her tone. "But don't think you're getting out of it, blondie! I'll be waiting for you, and I won't hold back!"
Naruto chuckled nervously, scratching the back of his head. "Yeah, yeah, I got it," he said, trying to sound more confident than he felt. "Just let me grab some to eat first, alright?" He said towards Naruto.
Teruteru, being the Ultimate Chef in the group, stepped forward in front of Naruto and spoke. "So, I heard that you're hungry, Mister Uzumaki-san; may I make something for you, Mister?" He said mischievously.
Naruto also responded back to him. "Oh yeah, I was actually about to go to the cafeteria to ask you if you could cook me some ramen..." He said energetically, "Since, you know, you're the Ultimate Chef..."
Teruteru was surprised that he suggested ramen. "Ramen..." He said with a surprised expression. Then he remembered that Naruto included in his introduction that he loves to eat ramen. "Oh, you did include in your introduction that you love ramen..." He said, remembering Naruto's introduction at the gym.
"Why, of course, Uzumaki-san! It would be my pleasure to whip you up a ramen dish that will tantalize your taste buds and leave you begging for more!" Teruteru exclaimed, his eyes gleaming with culinary enthusiasm. He snapped his fingers, and a mischievous grin spread across his face. "But I must warn you, my ramen is not for the faint of heart! It's got a certain... je ne sais quoi that will leave you..." he winked suggestively, "satisfied."
Naruto, oblivious to the chef's innuendo, grinned back, his stomach rumbling in anticipation. "Alright, sounds awesome! I'm starving, so hit me with your best shot!"
Hiyoko huffed and spoke. "You still like to eat that crap..." She said, raising her eyebrows.
Naruto turned to Hiyoko and said. "Hey, what's wrong with ramen... I love to eat ramen..."
Hiyoko rolled her eyes, unimpressed by Naruto's enthusiasm. "It's just noodles in dirty water! I don't see what's so special about it," she retorted, crossing her arms over her chest. "You'd think a ninja like you would have more refined tastes."
Naruto bristled at the insult, his hands clenching into fists. "Hey! Ramen is a culinary masterpiece! It's an art form! And besides," he added with a mischievous grin, "it's way better than those sugary sweets you're always stuffing your face with!"
Hiyoko's face flushed with anger. "What did you say, you overgrown oaf?! At least my sweets don't taste like swamp water!" she retorted, stomping her foot.
"Guys, guys, calm down!" Mahiru interjected, stepping between the two. "Let's not start a food fight, okay? We're supposed to be getting along, remember?"
Sonia nodded in agreement. "Yes, let us not engage in such petty squabbles. We should all respect each other's culinary preferences, even if they are... peculiar." She cast a discreet glance at Teruteru, who was still smirking suggestively.
Kazuichi, ever eager to impress Sonia, chimed in. "Yeah, what Sonia-san said! We should all just chill out and enjoy each other's company. Besides," he added, nudging Naruto with his elbow, "I'm kinda curious to see what kind of crazy ramen Teruteru's gonna cook up. It's probably gonna be epic!"
"I'm sure it will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience," Gundham declared, stroking his hamster. "The dark lord of cuisine shall weave a tapestry of flavor that shall transcend the mortal realm!"
Ibuki, being the musician of the group, clapped her hands together. "Alright, everyone! Let's put aside our differences and head to the cafeteria! I'm sure Teruteru will provide us with a meal that will fuel our bodies and strengthen our spirits!"
Fuyuhiko, who had been silently observing the entire exchange, finally spoke up, his voice low and gruff. "Tch. Whatever. Just try not to make a scene, alright? We don't need any more attention than we're already getting." He shot a pointed look at Naruto, with annoyance.
Sasuke and Peko, still in the arena in the dojo, were looking at Naruto and the rest of their classmates' interaction. "Uzumaki-san sure is a talkative type, huh..." she said in a stoic expression.
Sasuke, also looking at Naruto and the rest of their classmates' interaction, spoke. "Agree, he is always like that; it's sometimes annoying, actually..." He said with an annoyance, which made Peko chuckle at his response.
Mikan suddenly appeared next to Sasuke, looking worried. "A-Are you alright, Uchiha-san? You're not hurt, are you?" She said to Sasuke, which made Sasuke twitch by Mikan's sudden appearance.
Sasuke turned his head to face Mikan and thought. "How the hell did she suddenly appear next to me, without me noticing it..." He thought in a surprised expression. "Yes, I'm alright, Mikan; you have nothing to worry about." He said calmly to her.
Mikan visibly relaxed at Sasuke's reassurance, her shoulders slumping slightly. "O-Oh, g-good! I was just worried because of the blood on Peko-san's cheek... I-I hope you didn't get hurt either..." she mumbled, her voice barely audible.
Sasuke's gaze softened slightly as he looked at the timid nurse. He understood her anxieties, her inherent need to care for others. "Pekoyama is fine. It was just a scratch. And I am unharmed," he said, his voice firm but gentle. "There is no need to be worried."
Peko, overhearing their exchange, turned to Mikan with a reassuring smile. "Uchiha-san is right, Tsumiki-san. It was nothing more than a superficial wound. Please, do not worry yourself over it."
Mikan, still fidgeting slightly, nodded in acknowledgement. "O-Okay... If you say so..." She gave a small bow before scurrying away, seemingly relieved that everyone was alright.
"Oh, and by the way, guys." Mahiru announced, remembering what Koichi had told them. "If we want to get your uniforms, we'll have to go down to the nurse's office."
Sonia smiled. "Yes! There's a teacher waiting downstairs for us. Tsumiki-san and I already confirmed that."
"I'm quite fine with what I have on." Teruteru flashed them a grin. "It's a lot more…...intimate, don't you think?"
"SOOOOOO GROOOOOSSSSSS!" Ibuki was the one who voiced what every female in the room was thinking.
"I don't need any stupid uniforms," Akane said while picking her ear. "That just sounds like a lot of trouble."
"Geez." Nekomaru crossed his arms over his massive chest. "You're quite a simple woman, aren't you?"
"Simple, maybe, but I ain't got time for fancy clothes," Akane retorted, cracking her knuckles. "I'd rather be trainin'."
"Well, aren't you a ray of sunshine," Hiyoko sneered, rolling her eyes. "Some of us actually want to look presentable."
"Alright, alright, let's not start another argument," Mahiru sighed, rubbing her temples. "Look, we can all decide what we want to do. Those of us who want uniforms, let's head down to the nurse's office. The rest of you can do whatever you want."
Naruto, on the other hand thought about wearing a uniform. He will only were some clothes if it's orange, if it's not, then we will not bother. He turned towards Mahiru and said. Hey what color of the uniform is. He said with curiosity.
Mahiru paused, tapping her chin thoughtfully. "Hmm, I think Sonia mentioned it was a pretty standard navy blue blazer with a white shirt and a plaid skirt or pants. Nothing too exciting, I'm afraid," she replied, glancing at Naruto apologetically. "Definitely no orange in sight."
Naruto's face fell slightly at the news. "Ah, man... navy blue, huh? Not really my color," he muttered, scratching the back of his head. "Guess I'll stick with what I've got then. Thanks anyway!"
Mahiru chuckled, amused by his reaction. "Sorry, Naruto, but I don't think Hope's Peak Academy is really known for its vibrant color schemes," she said with a shrug. "But hey, you can always accessorize with an orange headband or something."
Sasuke turned his attention to Peko and spoke. "Where should I put this broken kendo sword..." He said to Pekoyama.
"Oh, just throw it in the trash since it's broken. It's useless now..." She said to Sasuke.
Sasuke nodded and turned around and threw it into the trash bag and turned towards Naruto and spoke. "Hey, idiot..." He said, which made Naruto and the rest look at Sasuke. "Give me my sword back..." He said, wanting to get his sword back from Naruto's hands.
Naruto had almost forgotten that he was still holding Sasuke's chokutō sword. "Oh yeah, sorry..." He said as he threw the sword towards Sasuke, while Sasuke instantly caught it. "And also, stop calling me an idiot, okay? It's annoying..."
Sasuke slowly put his sword back on the back of his waist and responded. "I'll call you whatever I want to call you..." He said coldly to Naruto.
Naruto grumbled under his breath, "Jerk..." But he knew better than to push Sasuke too far, especially when he was in one of his moods. He turned back to Mahiru, anticipation swirling within him. "So, what color is the uniform?" he repeated, his voice laced with a hint of desperation.
Mahiru chuckled, amused by Naruto's persistence. "Well, it's not exactly orange, sorry to disappoint. It's more of a dark blue with white accents. The boys get a blazer, dress pants, a white button-down shirt, and a tie."
Naruto's face fell. Dark blue? White? A tie? It sounded like a torture device disguised as clothing. "Ugh, seriously? That sounds lame," he groaned, his shoulders slumping once again. "I don't think I'm gonna bother then. I'll just stick with my usual style." He glanced down at his orange jumpsuit, a sense of comfort washing over him. It might not be the most fashionable attire, but it was him.
"Suit yourself," Mahiru shrugged, unfazed by his reaction. "But don't come crying to me when you get dress-coded."
"Dress-coded? What's that?" Naruto asked, tilting his head in confusion.
Before Mahiru could explain, Fuyuhiko scoffed, "It means you'll get in trouble for not following the rules, dumbass. This ain't some playground; it's a school. There are standards to uphold."
Naruto glared at Fuyuhiko, his fists clenching. "I don't need a lecture from you, shorty," he retorted, his voice laced with annoyance. "I'm just saying, I don't see the point in wearing something that doesn't feel like me."
"And I'm saying, you gotta learn to play by the rules," Fuyuhiko shot back, his eyes narrowing. "Unless you wanna cause trouble for everyone else."
The tension in the dojo thickened once again, the air crackling with unspoken animosity. It seemed that despite their shared predicament, these classmates were still struggling to find common ground, their personalities clashing like swords in a heated battle.
Peko, sensing the rising conflict, walked towards her classmates, leaving Mikan and Sasuke in the arena. Her voice calm and measured. "Perhaps we should all focus on what we need to do," she suggested, her gaze sweeping over the group. "Those who wish to acquire uniforms should proceed to the nurse's office. The rest of us can explore the academy or familiarize ourselves with our surroundings."
Nagito chuckled. "Yep. Everyone's hope is shining through today. It's so wonderful."
Ryota could only shake his head when he heard this. 'What a strange guy.'
"Now, let us march onward." Gundham faced the door with his four Dark Devas of Destruction striking poses all across his body. "It is time to meet our maker! Fuhahahahaha!"
Mahiru sweatdropped. "We're only getting our uniforms….."
Hiyoko sulked. "There are so many weird people around here. I hope I don't become one too…"
Kazuichi scratched his cheek. "I think you already are one…."
The blonde dancer glared at the mechanic. "No one asked you!" Hiyoko said, mocking Kazuichi.
"Now, now." Mahiru kept the girl from pouncing on Kazuichi. "We should all get along here. We are going to be together from now on."
"I fully agree with that." Nagito smiled. "If we're together, I'm sure everyone's hopes will shine even stronger."
No one knew what to say to that, except for Naruto, who walked up to the boy and patted him on the back.
"Nagito…...we're going to have to make sure you learn how to talk later."
"Oh." Nagito seemed uncertain about something. "You're even using my first name, too? "Well, yeah. We are kinda friends now, aren't we?"
Nagito didn't seem to know how to take this. "I'm flattered by your words, Uzumaki-kun. But…."
"Sheesh, stop saying weird stuff already." Naruto shook his head before looking over to Sasuke and spoke. "You coming, best bud..." He said looking at Sasuke.
Sasuke shook his head and spoke. "No, go ahead, I'm not that interested in those uniforms..." He said calmly.
Naruto shrugged and said. "Okay, suit yourself..." then he turned to the rest and said. "After we check out the uniforms, can we go to the cafeteria next..."
A chorus of "Yeah, let's go!" and "I'm starving!" erupted from the group, effectively breaking the lingering tension in the dojo. With a newfound sense of purpose, they began to file out, leaving Sasuke and a still-worried Mikan behind. Peko lingered for a moment, casting a sideways glance at Sasuke.
"Are you sure you don't want to come? It might be a good idea to at least see the uniforms," she said, her voice soft.
Sasuke shook his head, his gaze fixed on the departing crowd. "I have no need for such frivolous things. Besides," he added, his voice barely a whisper, "I have something else I want to do..."
Peko nodded, understanding dawning in her eyes. She noticed that Sasuke wasn't one for crowds or superficial interactions. As he is an introvert, unlike Naruto, who is an extrovert, which Peko can relate to Sasuke's introversion, as she too is also an introvert. He would likely go somewhere quiet to relax himself.
"Very well," Peko said, offering a small, respectful bow. "I shall return shortly." She said calmly to Sasuke, as Sasuke returned her bow as well.
With that, she turned and followed the others, leaving Sasuke alone with Mikan in the now-empty dojo. A heavy silence descended upon them, as the entire dojo went completely silent except for Mikan's occasional sniffles and nervous fidgeting. Sasuke, for his part, remained impassive, his eyes looking at the entrance door, his mind seemingly miles away, as he took a deep breath.
To be continued.