Hello everyone ! it's been a while since the last time this story had an update. But here we are ! Hope you will enjoy this chapter as much as the others ! I would like to thanks Faezier and Aboffy for their review.
So, now, sorry for the wait. So, read, enjoy and see you next time !
Bye bye
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Today, it was June the 15th.
They were in the middle of the rainy season.
Ace was dripping from everywhere when he entered in the classroom and flamed himself immediately to dry himself, before taking his seat. When Nagisa saw him take out a letter from his bag with a slightly shaky hand, he easily guessed who the sender was and went to his side, one hand on his shoulder.
«Thanks» breathed Ace.
He opened the letter and unfolded it, before reading it, doing nothing to keep Nagisa from doing the same above his shoulder.
Sabo was apologizing wildly, and that he understood his anger and the pain of his brother. Nagisa didn't know what he meant by Marine Ford, but it had been an important lesson for the author of the letter because he had understood the feelings of his brothers.
"I believed that this man was braking mad when he told me that they needed your akuma no mi to bring you back, but I had so much hope that I jumped on the occasion the moment I learned that Doflamingo had it. Luffy believed I was crazy too, when I explained to him why I need it. You are a wonderful brother, Ace, I saw it the moment I landed my eyes on Luff, after all those years. I'm ashamed to have wasted so much time, and if it isn't too late, I would really like to forge anew the bonds we once had the three of us again. I would like for us to become brothers again, Ace."
The letter continued on a little, then Ace folded it in two and whipped his eyes.
«I may not be able to forgive him for a long time, if I ever do, but he is still the boy I knew from the Grey Terminal » smiled Ace putting his mail away.
Nagisa smiled and rubbed the back of his friend as their professor entered in the classroom… with a huge head…
«Koro-sensei», pointed out Ritsu. «Your head swelled by 33% of volume. Could you explain yourself »
«I absorbed the humidity, this weather really isn't good for me. » explained the octopus.
He pulled a piece of his face's skin and squeezed the humidity out.
Once he had made all the water come out in a bucket, he checked if they were all there as he said:
«Karasuma-sensei informed me that a new student would join us today. »
«One more assassin, » mumbled Maehara. «Let's hope that this one will really be young like us…»
Ace sighed and turned on his chair toward him.
«I didn't ask to go from twenty-three to fifteen, Maehara. And I would have done without. You think that it is easy to fight when you're not used to stretch that much your member to put a blow? »
And Ace turned again toward Koro-sensei, leaving Maehara to wince.
«I had underestimated Ritsu-san and Ace-kun when they arrived, and I made the same mistake twice... I won't do it a third time! »
Ace and Ritsu shared a chuckle.
«Anyway, that a new classmate join you is a good thing. »
Bang!
Everyon ignored Ace's narcolepsy kicking in.
«Anyway, Ritsu, » asked the neighbor in front of the AI, «You know something? You and Ace were transfer students too, like the new comer. »
«Hai, I have some information, » stated Ritsu. «In the beginning, we should have came at the same time, all three of us. I had to support them from afar, while they attacked upfront to corner Koro-sensei. However, Portgas-Taïshou recovered faster from his operation that it was expected and was send first on the field, to familiarize himself with the ground, but also because someone had noticed his bad temper and the impossibility of having him to follow orders and keeping still. So he is here independently, out of the original combination. It was also a way to avoid for him to destroy the lab that was taking care of him. If he had stayed locked up any longer, he would have razed it to the ground. So, the new one and me had to arrive together, but those orders were voided for two reasons. The first is that his adjustment was longer than anticipated. The second, is that my skills aren't enough, be it to support him, or be it to support Portgas-Taïshou when he would have recovered his full strength. If we were to compare each other as assassin, they surpass me without a doubt, but once recovered fully, Portgas-Taïshou will be able to effortlessly turn us into ash. »
Coming from the one who had taken out a finger from Koro-sensei on her first day… it let show that they would be facing a monster.
The door opened on a strange man wearing white clothes and a hidden face by a sort of a white headgear.
«What are those clothes? » Asked the class representative in a low voice.
«That's him the new one? » Inquired a girl.
The being raised a hand, turning his palm toward the sky and…
Pouf!
A dove appeared in it, surprising the class, except Ace who continued to sleep.
The strange man burst out laughing.
« Forgive-me, I didn't want to scare you. I'm not the new student, I am his guardian. Call me Shiro.»
…
« Someone in white that appear from nowhere and did a magic trick… it's normal to be on our guard » commented Kayano. «Except for Ace and Koro-sensei, everyone can be weary… »
« Zzz… was the only noise that Ace was making.
He had to wake up first…
Koro-sensei had liquefied himself from fear to go hide on the ceiling.
«You're scared to death, Koro-sensei! » Accused a boy.
«He is scared enough to liquefy himself! »
He was naive in lot of field.
«But it's because of Ritsu-san! » The professor defended himself. « Ha-hajimemashite Shiro-san… where is our new student? »
The experience speaking for itself, the students searched everywhere in the room, remembering that Ace had showed up in the middle of the room without anyone noticing.
« I am happy to meet you too, Koro-sensei. He has a somewhat unique personality, so, allow me to introduce him to you. »
And he stepped toward the desk, before stopping and look in the direction of Ace (still sleeping), Nagisa and Kayano.
« Nani ka? » Asked Koro-sensei.
«Iie. I was just thinking that you had good students, I'm sure that he will find his place here, even if one of them seem to prefer to sleep in front of you. »
«He trains very hard to achieve to kill Koro-sensei, » pointed Karma in the back of the classroom. «He'll wake up when the class will begin. »
Nobody called out the lie.
Nobody trusted this man, and it was out of the question to deliver to him the weakness of their comrade.
«So ka. »
He gave some sweet to Koro-sensei.
«On this, I'll introduce him to you. Oi, Itona! You can enter! »
Booom!
The wall exploded.
Ace stood up with a jump and turned toward the wall, muttering something about his jiji who wouldn't get him alive, his chair in hand like a weapon..
But everyone only had eyes for the boy with big eye and blue hair so clear that in some place they seemed white. He had a big furry cloak on his back, when it wasn't that cold. He calmly walked to the free table beside Karma and sat down, separating him from Terasaka.
He stayed an instant silent before talking, as if in a litany:
«I won. I proved that I am stronger than the walls of the classroom. »
His crazy bloodshot eyes were very scary.
«USE THE DOOR, GODDAMMIT! » roared Ace, putting his chair back on the ground.
He let himself fall at his seat sighing, happy that it wasn't Garp that had showed up.
«It's good like this… very good like this…» continued Itona as if Ace hadn't said anything.
A new crazy one in their class…
Even Koro-sensei didn't know how to react. He was neither smiling, nor serious…
To describe his head, I think that WTF is what is the most appropriate, with his skin a little paler than usual and his mouth in a strange form.
«Horibe Itona, » introduced Shiro. «But you can call him Itona. »
It was what they did for Karma and Nagisa, but usually, they were more with the family names.
Ace would have been a good candidate for the family name, too, but he seemed to not give a damn to how he was called, so long as it wasn't too formal and that it was far from Gol.
Between a mysterious guardian in white and a student impossible to assess, the situation was never seen before. Even Marco and Ace were easier to understand, even if they stayed mysterious themselves.
« Ne, Itona-kun, » Karma called out with his face still as innocent as ever. « Something is bothering me, you came from outside, didn't you? And it rains cat and dogs… so how are you not wet, Itona-kun? »
Itona had stayed still, his eyes wide open and then turned his head toward Karma. He looked over the rest of the class and Ace erased immediately his presence. The crazy golden eyes of the boy passed by him without seeing him, before coming back to Karma. He stood up and walked toward Karma.
« You seem to be the strongest of this class…» he told him. But rest assured. »
He put a hand on Karma's head and another on his desk.
« You're weaker than me. So, I won't kill you. »
And he patted his head an instant, as you pat an animal's head, before straightening up, leaving a Karma most puzzled behind him.
«I only want to kill the people that could be stronger than me. »
And he walked to the desk where Koro-sensei was eating a chocolate bar that Shiro had given him.
«And in this class, Koro-sensei…»
«It's better when it is soft», Koro-sensei was muttering as he ate his chocolate.
«… it's you. »
Koro-sensei smiled at Itona while saying:
«The strong and the weak, this is how you choose your fight, Itona-kun? However, I don't think that we are playing on the same board. »
«Of course we do…»
Itona searched in his pockets and pulled out the same chocolate that Koro-sensei was eating.
«Because after all, we are blood brothers. »
Pause.
A yellow octopus three meters tall.
And a crazy human boy.
Kyôdai? Blood brother?
Better to send your brain to take a break…
Ace's eyes furrowed when Itona ripped the paper of his chocolate with his teeth.
«The loser die, Nii-san» said Itona pointing his sweet on Koro-sensei. «No kindness. Nii-san, I will kill you and prove that I am stronger than you. After class. We'll take care of it in this room. »
And he walked out with Shiro, closing the door behind him.
Three.
Two.
One.
«WHAT IS THIS STORY OF 'NII-SAN'! » Exclaimed the class.
Nagisa watched silently Ace following an invisible point with his eyes and a frown.
«This man isn't honorable… »muttered Ace, ignoring the cries from his classmates.
«What do you think? »Asked Nagisa.
Ace shook his head, pushing something from his though.
«They're not brother. Or else, Koro-sensei would have reacted otherwise. »
Ace put a hand to his shirt, fist tight about where his scar was.
«Koro-sensei… I would like to say something, » said Ace loudly.
Everyone looked at him.
«I don't believe in this story of brothers. Other than that, it would be a good way to destabilize you, there must be something fishy here. But let be clear on one point. A nii-san would never kill his otouto. He must even be ready to give his own life for him. Be it of your blood, adoption or sake. »
To see Ace so serious was strange.
«If you allow it, sensei, I will be going for a walk. If I stay here any longer, I risk to put something on fire… Water is my weakness, it will keep me from doing something I would regret. »
And he stood up, hands slightly shaking, and walked out by the hole that Itona had done as he entered.
«I won't be far. »
And he walked away in the wood around the school.
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In the staff room, Shiro was reading the Shonen Jump laughing, unmoved by the glares thrown on him by the three blonds in the room, and Karasuma's.
«I believe as much in this story about brothers as in the possibility of me becoming a cat tomorrow, yoi, » hissed Marco, his arms crossed in anger.
Cassandra held softly his shoulders, standing behind his chair.
Shiro seemed to sense the animosity of the place because he stopped laughing in his reading and put it back down.
«I didn't wish to surprise you, Karasuma-sensei. The existence of this child is a well-kept secret. To hide his existence to you wasn't a careless act. However, I can assure you, this child is indeed Koro-sensei's brother. After class, it will be evident to everyone. »
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Meanwhile, Koro-sensei and Itona were eating as many sweets as the other. Totally perturbed, deciding to lift his spirit, Koro-sensei decided to throw a glance to an adult magazine that he had bought recently and that Ace hadn't found yet to burn it to ash.
Except that there, Itona was reading the same magazine as him.
«They both liked big boobs! »
«His credibility just raised a lot, » said Okajima, moved.
«You really believe that, Okajima? » Asked Nagisa with a deadpanned smile.
«Yes! »
And he showed off the same magazine.
«Those that like big boobs are all brothers! »
And now they had a third brother in the house.
Except that Okajima received a shoe in the head courtesy of Ace. The D. was still outside on the rain leaning in the open window into the classroom.
«If they really are brothers, why Koro-sensei does not remember him? » Asked Kayano.
Ace inclined his head on one side, ignoring the conversation, trying to understand what his Haki was trying to tell him. It was pointing at once at Koro-sensei, Kayano and Itona, showing him a similarity that he wasn't understanding.
Anyway, the otaku with the overflowing imagination had already came with a preposterous story explaining the how and the why, with a war in the octopus kingdom, with Koro-sensei and Itona as young princes that were made to run away. On the way to a wooden bridge, Koro-sensei had taken the sword to protect Itona and fell in the water, with arrows in his body, and they were separated like this.
«… and that's why, older, they began a ruthless power war without knowing that they are brother! »
«Remind me to never introduce you to Luffy, muttered Ace. And let me point to you the blatant problem in your theory, Fuwa-kun. We have an octopus and, until the contrary is proven, a human. »
«And your brothers, then?! » groused the girl.
«Sabo? Human. Lost sight when I was eleven. His father found us in the middle of the Grey Terminal and forced him to follow him, otherwise, Luffy, a human too, and I would be killed. After that, the slum area burned don, and Lu' and me only just escaped with our life. After that, I was just shown his favorite hat telling me that he was killed as he was trying to get away. I learn twelve years later that he is alive when I get back my fire. Luffy? I raised him alone for seven years, when our only link was his grand father who had adopted me. I set sail to become a pirate before him, and he was going to do it three years later. He did. Unfortunately, I had a problem that took the life of my best friend on board, and it ended in a fucking war, in which Luffy got involved just to be able to save me. We ended up on the ground exhausted, and he was about to die. I used my last strength to save him… and here I am. That's all I'm going to say. »
This led to a big silence.
«So, why do we have an octopus and a human prince? » Asked Ace with a big smile, returning on the offensive.
Fuwa blushed and spluttered:
«A mutation? »
«You didn't explain anything! You got to much into your story! And the story lack in depth! » Scolded another girl.
And it ended in a meaningless quarrel.
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The end of class rang and everyone was gathered in the classroom.
The desks had been arranged in a ring around which the students stood.
Koro-sensei and Itona were in the center. With a quick gesture, Itona took off what everybody thought to be a furry coat, but which was in fact the vest of the uniform, plus a very big scarf, revealing a very tight sleeve-less tee-shirt.
«You must be tired of the usual murder tentative, Koro-sensei, » said Shiro. Should we decide some rules? »
One look toward Ace, soaked to the bone, and Marco knew that he wasn't the only one having a bad feeling about this. He moved to place himself close to Shiro who didn't comment on it as he laid down the rules:
«If you put one foot out of the ring, it's as if you are dead. What do you think? »
«What's that, only loser put this sort of rules », muttered Sugino.
«Iie, » countered Karma strangely serious. «To break this rule in front of our eyes could undermine our trust in sensei. And it's a very good rope to pull against Koro-sensei. »
Koro-sensei finished his thinking and accepted the condition, in exchange of the certitude that no watcher would be hurt.
Shiro raised his hand to give the signal.
«ABUNAI! » Yelled Ace as Marco stiffened, opening wide eyes.
The arm had just been lowered that one of Koro-sensei's tentacle was cut off.
One of Koro-sensei's arm fell on the ground, but all of them only had eyes for Itona who seemed to not have moved. If you didn't count the five long nervous white tentacle which had just came out of his hair, of course.
Karma understood the how Itona managed to stay dry on his way at this instant: The tentacles had kept the water away from him as they repelled each drop of rain.
The worst, level reaction, was Koro-sensei who had turned black, face tense with fury.
«Where did you get these tentacles?! » Growled the teacher.
His eyes were bigger, luminous and red.
«We don't have to answer, Koro-sensei, » Shiro told him calmly. «But this confirm our sayings. You have different parents, a different education, but you are, indeed, siblings. That's quite the scary face you have here. Does it bring back bad memories? »
Koro-sensei narrowed his eyes as he regenerated his limb.
«It seems that we must have a little chat…» hissed the teacher.
Nagisa throw a glance toward Ace when he felt the heat raise considerably to his left. The boy was shaking, his eyes, two silver lakes calling for murder, fixated on the fight.
«I don't think so... » Shiro told him. «You'll soon be dead. »
He raised his arm and bathed Koro-sensei in a strange light, paralyzing him.
Itona had a field day. When he calmed himself, it was shown Koro-sensei's molten form and that he was now hanging on the roof.
«Ah yes, molting you, it's true that you still had this asset. »
But this worked perfectly in their plan.
Molting and to growing another arm had tired Koro-sensei, and reduced greatly his speed. And more, the use of his tentacles was dependent on his mental state, and he was the sort to lose easily his calm.
This man knew all the weaknesses of Koro-sensei and was exploiting them.
It wasn't an assassination, it was an execution.
Koro-sensei was cornered. Another blow like that, and they would have him. If they killed him, the world would be saved.
Nagisa pulled his anti-sensei knife from his shirt, looking at it wondering about his frustration. He had worked hard to discover the weak points of Koro-sensei for them to be able to kill him… but now…
Shiro raised another time his arm…
Sbam!
Marco had just swept his legs from under his prey and was keeping him against the ground.
«Hiken! »
Itona ate the punch of fire in the face which threw him out of the ring and out of the class by the window.
«Release me, » ordered Shiro.
«Oh no. You want to play with dirty tricks, we will play like this too. Change of opponents », hissed Marco.
His eyes were mere slits and had turned a gold shade, as he pulled a deadly knife from his belt to put it against the man's neck so that he would stay still.
«I'm borrowing that, Nagisa. A knife full of frustration is a perfect weapon…» hissed Ace as he tied his hair with an elastic that he had taken from Kayano.
Nagisa's knife between his teeth, Ace jumped out of the window, tying his hair in a ponytail before putting on his head an orange Stetson trimmed with pearl.
«The rain, Ace», warned Marco in a flat voice, releasing his prey.
«Don't worry. I know very well what effect it has on me. But I don't need fire for this. This will be perfect for this foolish boy… You are next, Shiro-boke. »
Ace tilted his head, looking at Itona from beneath his hat.
«So, kid… You want to prove that you are the strongest, but you need your guardian's help to do so? Sorry to tell you that, but I lived a little longer than you on the sea of all perils. The foul tricks, I know a lot… From the moment you saw Koro-sensei as your sole target, you lost. We are all assassins here. We will all kill Koro-sensei. »
Itona's eyes became even more bloodshot and a great anger disfigured his face.
«To lose sight of your surrounding is a big mistake. We are twenty-eight students. And each of us are your enemy… One hit. I will let the first blood to you…»
Ace's smirk became malicious, dark, and totally deranged.
«Then I will make you take a taste of the terror of the D. … Loser. »
Koro-sensei went to intervene but Cassandra put a hand on his shoulder.
«Ace judged them without honor. He will prove to them that if they want to play it dirty, there are master around. It's their job to do it, not yours. You can't save them all. »
Itona lost it completely.
«I lost? I am weak?! »
His eyes became red and deranged, while his veins swelled on his face and his tentacles.
«Don't play around. One blow and you end this, yoi», demanded Marco as he moved in front of Shiro whom he had released.
« Aye, senshou» assured Ace.
« That's bad, Itona hates studying, and to give a lesson to a boy like him can start a mass slaughter», warned Shiro.
Itona's tentalces became black and crazy.
Ace brusquely took a step back and placed one hand on his left eye, before pulling it of dripping with blood.
«First blood, that's good, » smiled Ace, calmly. «Now, it's my turn. »
Itona wasn't hearing him. His tentacles were out of control.
Ace closed his eyes, ignoring his wound and rushed, disappearing and reappearing between the tentacles to avoid them.
«I'm strong! » Itona was saying. «These tentacles made me stronger than anyone else! »
«That's what you think… » Ace told him. «I thought the same with my gift, until I found myself on a scaffold awaiting my execution. »
He jumped, span, and fell back behind Itona easily cutting his tentacles with the anti-sensei knife. A simple acrobatic move sends the boy back in the classroom.
«I am stronger than you! » Ace told him.
«NO! » Roared Itona.
Zioooooom…
Itona slumped on his back, unconscious, covered in sweat.
«I don't know anything about these tentacles, but they weaken his will, » commented Ace, coming back toward the class. «I'm not even warmed up, you want to go next, Shiro-boke? »
Shiro looked at Ace without a word and took Itona to put him on his back.
«It seems that this child isn't ready mentally for school. I know that it's only his first day, but we will take our leave. »
«Wait! As a professor, I can't let this child go like that! Intervened Koro-sensei. «I have to watch over him until he gets his certificate! Plus Shiro-san, there are some questions I have for you!
«Yada ne. » refused Shiro, walking off. «We're leaving. Unless you want to try to force us?
«When you are covered from head to toes with anti-sensei fabric? » Said Marco. «Get away, and pray that we never see you again. I don't know what you did to this kid… but if I see you again, I'll cut your throat off. »
And Shiro walked away saying that Itona would come back soon.
They waited for him to be far enough to take a deep breath.
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.
Marco took Kayano aside, while Koro-sensei was embarassed at his desk. The students put the desks back where they should be. Ace sat on his des and pulled of his hat to allow Cassandra to heal his eye.
«Even with the rain, you shouldn't have been wounded. » pointed the woman examining the injury. «It will leave a scar. »
«I think that in his raving, he used some Haki without knowing, » prognosticated Ace. «For the scar, don't bother. »
«If you want to look like Ray-san it's your problem. »
Ace snorted.
«Are you alright? » Asked Nagisa.
«Yes, it's just a cut. Take back your knife. »
And he held the knife to Nagisa.
«Anyway, what is going on with Koro-sensei? »
«Who know, he is like that since a moment ago. »
« I'm embarrassed because I showed this form! Said the octopus » still brooding. «Normally, I'm someone comical…»
« He knows about it? » Wondered Fuwa.
« You're allowed to be angry » a girl with a rather dark appearance told him, before emulating him: « "Where did you get these tentacles?!" »
« Iaaaaaah! » Squeaked Koro-sensei. « Don't say anymore Hazama! Just hearing those words make me want to hide in a hole! »
«You need little », muttered Ace as he made his wound flare.
« "I'll have your head old man" » emulated Cassandra with a smirk white looking at his youngest brother.
«I was foolish and young, » Ace pouted.
«Yeah yeah. And you costed us a fortune in reparations. »
Ace stuck his tongue at her and passed a finger on his most recent scar.
«Will you be alright? » Asked Isogai.
«Scars are proof that I'm still alive and that I can get stronger. I didn't count on him to be able to wound me. The rain weakens my powers, but doesn't cancel them. »
Everyone turned toward Koro-sensei who was moaning things about him being bit of an airhead and that to show himself as someone serious would ruin his character.
«Yeah, well you're ruining it even more, » pointed out Sugino.
Kayano and Marco came back at this point. Kayano had her head down, but forced herself to smile when someone asked her if everything was alright. Ace glanced at Marco who clearly told him later with his eyes.
«We have to discuss about your Haoshoku that I am discovering today, » Ace, Marco told him.
«If you want, » sighed Ace.
«It's surprising, isn't it, this Itona, » pointed out Irina whom had entered just behind Marco. «To think that he would possess tentacles too…»
«Ne, Koro-sensei, explain, » demanded Isogai. «What is your relationship with him? »
«You're always avoiding questions about who you are, » said one girl.
«After seeing this, we can't continue to ignore this», pointed Sugino.
«That's true! » Approved Nagisa.
«We are your students, » reminded a girl. We have the right to know our teacher better. »
Koro-sensei became serious.
«We are from a parallel universe. »
Everyone looked at Cassandra with a puzzled expression when she spoke. Seeing everyone listening to her, she continues:
«We were grieving, recollecting on the grave of two of our men, on a beautiful island where we had put them into the ground, two years before, when some scientists appeared from a strange portal which came from nowhere. They told us they were searching for something or someone capable of saving their world. Marco proposed to help them, after having heard some of the conditions that made it hard to say no. »
«Bring some people back to life… » whispered Ace, sitting crossed leg on his desk. « I died some days away from my little brother eighteen's birthday. The how and why begin with the murder of my best friend by one of my men and, after a big defeat, in prison, then at the top of the scaffold waiting for my execution. But I was the son of a Lord of the Seas, like every Shirohige. It became a war that destroyed us all. I lost my life as a free man there, to save my brother who wanted to save me. Point. »
«Oyaji freaked out after Ace's death and did everything he could for us to manage to escape. The traitor showed himself at this moment on the battlefield and with his gang, they killed our captain and father, all while being scared to death. Nobody realized that he was dead before a good while because he died standing, like… Benkei, I believe he is named, yoi, » muttered Marco leaning against a wall. «That's how I became to inherit the crew and put our siblings and father to the earth. We had nothing; the world didn't want us… »
«And Shirohig had given us everything. A goal, a home, a family. All of this turned to ash at Marine Ford. And we have a chance to build everything back. Oyaji wouldn't agree with us to bring him back from the dead, and even if the list is long for all of those that died at Marine Ford, the crew agreed on who to give the second offer… Ace came back first as a test, in view of his potential, but the recompense for the death of Koro-sensei made it so we get Commander Thatch back…» conclude Cassandra.
A heavy silence settled; The students shared stunned look; others were wiping away their tears as discreetly as they could. Nagisa and Karma looked at Ace and nodded. Ace did the same, thankful for their lack of pity.
«After all this, I think you can very well say something as well, yoi» noted Marco to Koro-sensei.
«Alright, said the man. I suppose that I owe all of you the truth. »
He stood up.
«The truth is that…»
Everybody was hanging on the octopus' every words.
«I am an artificial life form! »
…
No reaction at all.
«Yeah, sure…»
«And? »
«What's with this reaction! » Huffed Koro-sensei. «You don't find this confession shocking?!
«To learn that Ace came out of a grave is more shocking than that, pointed Okajima. No octopus from earth can move at Mach 20. »
«And if you're not an alien, then it's the only solution there is, » completed a girl.
«Except if he met Vegapunk! »giggled Cassandra.
Her brother looked at her with a deadpan.
«You lost your humor, boys…» pouted the blond nurse.
«You're tiring sometimes, yoi, » sighed Marco as he massaged his nose.
«However, if Itona is his otouto it can be that he was created after you», guessed a girl.
«Which would explain the amelioration. Koro-sensei may be a failed prototype» proposed Ace, gaining the others' approval.
"These children are scary!" thought Koro-sensei.
«What interest us is, the result » cleared Nagisa. «Why were you angry with Itona-kun's tentacles? Why were you created? What were you thinking when you came here? »
But like an octopus, Koro-sensei wasn't easily caught.
«I'm sorry, but I can't give you these answers for now, he told them. If I destroy the Earth, all you want to know would be useless to you. »
And his smile widened a little more, showing his teeth in a worrying way, making one boy take a step back.
«Whereas if you save the Earth, » continued Koro-sensei, « You will have all opportunity to learn the truth. You must know what to do now… If you want to know, you only have one thing left to do, kill me. Assassins and target. It's the link that exist between us. If you want to have these answers… You can only find them by the assassination. If you don't have other questions, that's all for today. See you tomorrow.
And he walked toward the door. He opened it…
«It's embarrassing, really embarrassing…! » And he closed the door behind him, while protecting himself from the knife Ace had just thrown at his back.
They were killers. They seek their answers by asking with their blades and their guns. Their target was their teacher. His life, their mystery.
Meanwhile, taking advantage of a moment of sunny weather, Karasuma had walked off to call the government to inform them of what had happened.
That's where the students found him and demanded extra lessons. They wanted to have more assassination techniques. To see the fight with Itona had made them realize that they didn't want someone else to kill Koro-sensei. Their attitude had changed, their resolution was stronger. And he liked it.
«Very well. Those determinate enough stay after class for special training! It will be very hard! »
«HAI! »
«When you're ready, I'll send you back to the pirates, to make you learn how to play 'dirty', as some would say. To kill with the most unimaginable tricks. »
«HAI! »
Karasuma's face became that of a devil.
«Then, let's immediately begin. »
He showed with his thumb the tree behind him. Tree to which was tied some ropes.
«Climb up the rope! »
.
.
From the window, Ace was watching the scene, then the sun. He breathed deeply and smiled to his family who smiled back. To talk about this, in this class, had freed him.
«It's not your fault, » Cassandra told him.
«I know, it's Teach's…» assured Ace.
He stared at the sun again.
«I'll become stronger… so that we don't have anyone else to put in the ground too early. »
«I trust you, Ace, » assured Marco. «I can't have a weakling as my fuku-senshô. »
Ace raised an eyebrow.
«I switched the two first fleet over, yoi. Kennichi has worked all his life with the navigators. His personality isn't compatible enough to be able to work with Edwin and Patrick. You'll find your men in the first fleet, when we'll go back home, yoi. »
Ace sighed, knowing that protesting wouldn't do anything.
«What do we do for Kayano? »
«So long as she suffers, she won't be able to heal, »Cassandra told him. «And the reason for her pain is in front of her eyes everyday. We don't know enough to do anything. She is free, it's her choice, even if it's a bad one. »
.
.
The rainy season was finally over and the heat was coming back…
Ace stretched, feeling good accompanying Karma, Sugino and Nagisa as they walked out of the Middle School.
«It's the season to do activities outside! » Said Sugino. What about going somewhere?! »
«Good idea what should we do? » Smiled Nagisa.
«What about fishing? » Porposed Karma.
«So long as I don't end up in the water, I don't see any problem, I find this is good idea even, »approved Ace.
«Yeah, that's a good idea! What do you think we can catch in this period of the year?
The horns, evil face and Karma's tail told them that they had misunderstood badly the proposition:
«The summer, it's the season for yankees… we could bait one with Nagisa-kun and squeeze all his money out of him!
Ace made the same face hearing the proposition.
«Then, let's go pick the material, and let's go fish some rascals! Since we also have Sugino-kun, we'll be able to catch the double!
And the two accomplices shared a Machiavellian laugh, imagining the two tiny boys at the end of a rope, being caught by delinquents that end up robbed.
"There really is a season to catch yankees?" thought Nagisa with a blank face.
«Let be serious, what should we do? » Asked Sugino. « Nagisa, an idea? »
They passed at this instant by the school's baseball field, where the club was playing.
«What about the beach? » Proposed Nagisa.
Ace's eyes lightened up.
«I'm for it! »
Sugino suddenly stopped to watch the match. All their class knew of Sugino's passion for the baseball and of his talent. After all, that was how he was trying to assassinate their teacher.
A student named Shindo Kazuta, the captain of the club, had just made a good throw.
He caught the ball that was send back to him and wiped the sweat of his face noticing the four watchers.
«If it isn't Sugino! It's been a while! »
Sugino was taken aback for a moment, then happy, he came to the fence to talk a bit. The three others stayed back smiling, happy to see that their friend still had buddies in the normal classes. Until those comments:
«Seriously, you're so lucky, Sugino-san! »
«You're in the class E, you can slack off all day. »
«Us, we have to train and study all day and we are exhausted. »
They walked closer as Shindo talked:
«Stop that, that's hurtful. Those that aren't part of the school's elite don't need to study and train like us. »
«Sugoii ne… you're talking as if you're a chosen one, » pointed Karma with a drawling voice as he stepped closer to the fence.
«Yes, that's exactly what I am. It seems to displease you… In that case, I'll show you at the tournament. You'll see the superiority of the ones chosen from the normal peoples. And the difference between you and me. »
Ace let out a cold laugh and answered with a heinous smile on his lips.
«We'll be delighted to show you how we defend ourselves, in the slums of the normality, mister the chosen one…»
.
.
Koro-sensei read attentively the paper.
«Interesting, an inter-class sport tournament, » he said. «The sport allows a healthy mind in a healthy body. That's excellent. However…»
He showed the paper where the class E was of course absent.
«Why is the class not part of the group? »
«The class E is forbidden from entering, » answered a boy with a deadpan. «For the wonderful reason that it would make a team too many. In exchange, we have to play in an exhibition match after the tournament. »
«Exhibition? »
«Basically, it's just a show where the class E is happily butchered, yoi, » guessed Marco.
It was his class, at first, but seeing the news, he was feeling that the next hours would be about this sport.
«Exactly. All the school will be here. The girls will go against the female Basket team. »
«I see, it's always the same thing » understood Koro-sensei.
Three students, one of whom was Terasaka, walked off, not wanting to be a part of this public humiliation.
«For the baseball, we can always count on Sugino. Do you have a thing to win? »
The boys turned toward Sugino who lowered his eyes, unsure.
«It's useless and totally a losing battle. They really are strong in our baseball club. In particular the actual captain, Shindo. His throws are fast and strong. Some high schools already have spotted him. He is also excellent in his studies, and in sports. When you see him, life really seems unfair. But you know, I really want to win, Koro-sensei. Not just fight, but win. I don't want to lose in this sport I love so much! I had to leave the club when they put me in the class E… but since then, I want to win even more. I want to win against them…»
Sugino took a deep breath when he saw that Koro-sensei was very excited by the idea of baseball, since he already was in full gear, and that his head looked like a giant ball.
«I think that everyone understood that you wanted to play, » pointed out Sugino.
«Nyurufufufufufu! I always wanted to be a coach like in a sport manga. But since I can't hit you, I will, instead, throw this desk. »
And he showed a little round table with a lot of food on it. Ace smelled the food and pouted… Plastic.
«Lately, you clearly voice your wishes. "I want to kill you". "I want to win", "I want to get stronger". And this, without any impediments. Your hot passion touch me, so I will train you in view of the tournament! Unfortunately, since I can't really be with you, Marco-sensei will act as my representative on the ground and my second! »
«And if I say no? I don't know your sport, yoi, » protested the Phoenix.
Why were they including him without asking him?
«You never played baseball? »
«The only game that need a ball to play on our ship, is the one that intend to make our mascot play, yoi. I doubt that shooting a gun or a canon at someone can be considered as a sport…»
«Aaah, Stefan… what did he become anyway? » Sighed Ace.
«We left him on Gyojin Island. You think that we would be crazy enough to put this dog in danger, yoi? »
«So, you make a dog run? » Said Maehara, disappointed.
«He makes us run. This hound is around as tall as Koro-sensei at the withers, pointed Ace. The only thing, we make run, are the authorities! Shishihi!
«Of which your grandfather is a part of, » reminded Marco.
The shiver of fright which passed through Ace was worth it.
«Don't worry, I'll explain all you need to know. With your brain, understand this game shouldn't be hard! Chuckled Koro-sensei rubbing impatiently his tentacles together. »
.
.
The D Day had come.
Of course, the 3-A class had easily won the competition.
It was now time for the humiliation of the 3-E Class.
«Why did you put a bandage on your arms Ace? » Asked Maehara.
«Maybe because I have something to hide » the young man told him as he tied some weight to his wrists, while Marco did the same to his ankles, under his blue joggers.
"Good, to finish this day the class E and the baseball club will face each other in an exhibition match!" stated the commentator as the two groups came face to face.
«Only the elite, gifted both for studies and sport, has the right to dominate the others, » Shindo told them. We call this excellence, Sugino. « You're not a part of any of those two categories. You're not a chosen. »
«Tch… they are brainwashed, or what? » Muttered Ace, tightening his ponytail.
«I believe so », Karma told him.
They found Marco who was staring at their opponents with his arms crossed.
«Sensei, where is Koro-sensei? » Asked Sugino. «Isn't he supposed to be the main coach and give us his instructions? »
«There, look discreetly» said Marco as he pointed a group of ball further away with his head. «Karasuma-senseu and I expressly told him to be discreet, yoi. »
«That's why he is hidden in abandoned balls» said Nagisa, also in the confidence.
Indeed, Koro-sensei could be recognized in the middle of the little balls, whom even reducing his size, kept a little black cap signaling him as a coach.
«He'll signal you by changing color. If you don't understand him, or if he doesn't have any idea, I'll take his place, yoi. »
«It's rather obvious! »
And Koro-sensei offered a message to them: blue-green, purple, orange. And he did the same sequence again, with a grin wider and wider, disappearing under the ground between each color.
«And what does it mean? » Inquired Sugino, unsure.
Marco gained a wild grin that was equal to the one that was on Ace's lips, while Karma happily saluted their teacher with his hand.
«That you must slaughter them, youngster. Listen to me… you fight every day this damn ridiculous talking octopus that can move at Mach 20, who play with your attacks… those kids are stronger or weaker than Koro-sensei, yoi? »
«Weaker! Huffed the class, » as if Marco had lost all his senses.
Marco's smile became a little wider as he raised an eyebrow.
«Then what are you waiting to make eat the dust to this group of spoiled kids that believe themselves to be the chosen of this world, yoi? If you can't win against them, you can already give up on killing Koro-sensei. »
«Yosh! You're right, sensei! We go?! »
«Yeah! Roared the boys. »
Marco gained a satisfied smile.
«How many people cheer when you motivate them like that? » Asked Karma to Marco.
«If I limit myself to my old fleet… about a hundred, yoi. After, I am the oldest son, my fellow siblings and commanders listen to me…»
Ace glanced at him as if to say that he was crazy, clearly in disagreement, and turned around.
It was time to show to this school a glimpse of hell. The match would be wild, bloody, deadly and full of tentacles…
First beater: Kimura.
The first ball passed through his defense.
«Strike! » Yelled the referee.
The ball had just passed under the nose of the young man with a speed of 140 km/h.
«I really don't feel comfortable here» mumbled Kimura as he arranged his protection.
His eyes caught a signal from Marco.
Message from Koro-sensei.
He quickly found the moving ball who took on three colors: red, purple, pink.
Roger. Kimura nodded for his two teachers and Marco nodded back, calmly sitting on his bench.
«Let's do it! » Called Kimura.
"Ola, it seems that the beater of the class E is motivated!"
This made the spectators laugh.
On his bench, the trainer of the club of the school was chuckling. His plan was simple. He eliminated the three beaters in the first round and during the second one, he would get ten points and end the match.
He felt something on him and noticed the one that must have been the other coach who was staring at him, a little mocking smirk playing on his lips, a student sitting on the bench beside him, playing with a baseball ball deeply in though.
The second throw went… and it was a bunt.
Kimura threw his bat and rushed toward the first base.
He was the fastest boy, after Ace, in the class E. Thanks to the effect of surprise, he was able to join the first base.
"The second beater is Shiota."
Yellow green white.
Nagisa nodded.
Another bunt.
The middle schooler didn't know how to react to bunt shots as well as pros, so they used that technique.
Two bases were now occupied and Shindo didn't know what to think.
Marco raised an eyebrow and widened his smirk to the other trainer. Those children had trained with Koro-sensei after all.
.
.
Flashback:
« And Koro-sensei throws a ball of 300 km/h! The forefront Koro form a wall of clone! Take it, it's for you – no, take it! Will it reach in time?! The collector Koro whisper obscenities in the beater's ear to shaken him…! I saw you do air guitar, you seemed totally taken by the motion, Mimura…»
«Hiken no Ace take a ball through his head…» sighed Ace when a ball passed through his head, while his comrades fell on the floor in exhaustion. «You are conscious that those kids are human? »
«I know what I'm doing! »
«If you say so, yoi, muttered Marco, picking up the ball. »
«Now, let study the tactics of our opponents. Takebayashi spied on them those last three days! »
«And it was dead boring » said the geek as he arranged his glasses on his nose.
He showed his computer with the gathered data. The max speed of Shindo's throw was 140,5 km/h. He only did quick or curved ball, with a preference for the fast ones. Ninety percent during his training were fast.
«With this speed, fast balls can easily win against us, » commented Sugino.
«But if you can counter them, you can win! » Stated Koro-sensei. That's why, during the next exercise…»
Ace found himself with a baseball glove and a ball in his hand.
« Ace-kun will throw the balls at his max speed, which I believe is, 185 km/h. »
« Eeeeh! Why me?!
« After my balls, those of your classmate will seem slow. But in comparison, those of Shindo will be motionless. And if we play well, Ace-kun will be able to pass the 200km/h. »
End of Flashback
.
.
Third ball, Isogai.
He did a bunt and reached the base. They were all full.
Fourth beater : Sugino.
Blue, green, black.
And he already put himself on the position for a bunt. Except that for Shindo, the thrower, it looked like he had four gun pointed on him. He wasn't sure what they were playing at, in this instant, but it wasn't baseball anymore.
The ball went and Sugino hit.
It went out of the outfield and Sugino made a Homerun.
Three points for their team.
Three points to zero, end of the first half round.
Marco whistled, catching their attention.
« What is it, sensei? » Asked Sugino stopping his congratulations.
The blond pointed the man that had taken the place of the other trainer.
«The headmaster decided to show up and to take things into his own hands, » mumbled Ace. «Now, the battle truly begins…»
«Nothing scares you » really, sighed Nagisa.
«There is my Jiji. And with reason, since he put my sperm donor on the scaffold. »
They watched as the Headmaster, with only calm words, succeed in scaring the trainer enough to faint.
They watched him advance toward the members of the club with some worries.
"I just learned that the trainer wasn't feeling well before the match and that his players were to worry to concentrate! That's why the director, unable to stay indifferent, will take the team in hand!"
Next beater: Maehara.
The director had sent all the defense in the infield. They had understood that they could only do bunt shot.
To be so close to the beater must be forbidden and the defense could place themselves where ever they wanted. If the empire was against it, it would be another story, but right now he was in the school's side.
The bunt went toward the sky and was easily caught.
He was out.
The next searched for help to Koro-sensei but he didn't have any idea to what to do and it was evident.
Marco changed his position on the bench, catching Okajima's attention as he went to grab the bat. He breathed deeply to find his calm. He observed the simple hand gesture from Marco toward the sky.
Of course, coming from a bird. If the earth was forbidden, why not take off to the sky.
And that's what he did. He hit it with all his forces into the sky to then run toward the base… but didn't reach it in time.
He was out but Marco reassured him with a wink.
All would go well.
And effectively, soon it would be Ace's time on the field. Weights may have been tied to his members to force him to have less surprising physical capacities, but he still had inhuman abilities.
The third beater was out and Ace took the bat, ignoring the fact that the commentator was saying that Shindo was back to full strength.
Functional or not, it wasn't his problem.
« Binks no sake wo, todoke ni yuku yo… »sang Ace as he took his place.
And he smiled at Shindo.
« Hajimemasho ka? » Asked the pirate as he put the headset on.
Shindo squinted at Ace. He was just beginning to find back his game, he wasn't going to let this idiot with his Cheshire Smile play with his nerves. He wouldn't let him hit another bunt.
The ball went…
Ace hit nonchalantly, sending it out of the field, before rushing at the perfect speed to make a home-run, without looking superhuman.
Five point to Zero for their team, under the surprised gaze of everyone.
Ace looked at the headmaster and raised a defying eyebrow.
He was playing with the Grand Line level, he didn't have a chance.
.
.
It was the class E's turn to defend, next.
Sugino threw a ball… curved.
Nagisa easily caught it, from behind the beater.
Meanwhile, Asano was extensively brainwashing Shindo.
Sugino continued like that and outed to beaters.
«Karma-kun! » Called Koro-sensei from just under the redhead feet whom lowered his eyes.
«Don't appear under me» coach, Karma told him. «I could step on you. »
«You will be the next beater, try to throw them off a little. »
The second round began, and the defense of the baseball club was still a wall.
Next beater: Karma Akabane.
«What is it, hurry to prepare yourself! One of the referees told him.
«Ne~! » Called out Karma. «Isn't it cheating, mister the Headmaster, sir! And the referee doesn't say anything! You don't find this strange? Aha! So ka! »
Karma turned toward the puzzled public.
«In fact, you're just idiots and you don't understand a thing! »
And this, made the public angry.
Karma ignored the swearing and put on his protection, sticking his tongue in direction of the teacher. Nothing to do, it didn't work. The orange head with the red circle from Koro-sensei and Marco's satisfied face told him that he did he had done right and good, however.
The trickiest guys in the world were here for this match… no need to worry.
«The most important thing is to voice our complaint aloud, yoi, » whispered Marco.
«This kid's mind is a very twisted and funny thing; can we take him on board? » Asked Ace with hope.
He took a slap behind the head which made him pout.
Like they thought, the three beaters were outed, and they passed in defense.
But they trusted their coaches.
And their most powerful ace entered the game in defense.
Ace.
The ultra-motivated students were unable to do much. Ace caught easily every ball flying, in positions more and more crazy, making laugh his comrades, humiliating and eliminating the beater each time.
Asano was frowning in front of the physical abilities of the boy. He had explicitly asked one of the students of the club to show the example and ridicule them by using pro level bunt shot. But no, this boy, Portgas, was always where he shouldn't be. He had allowed the transfer of the boy and the teacher, because he was told that they had never been to school and so, they could only pull the class E down. However, this Ace had been classed fourth at the last exam, equal to Karma, and his physical abilities were more than surprising…
Let's see what his baby could do against him.
It was Shindo's turn to use the bat… and after having been psychologically prepared specially to beat this team… to crush them, to render them to dust…
The boy had a black aura and was slightly drooling.
«Waow, what a monster…» commented Ace without blinking.
Koro-sensei appeared under his feet and give him an instruction:
«I'm sure that a pirate like you has two or three beautiful words to whisper in the ear of this good looking champ, no? »
Ace immediately understood hat as expected of him and Koro-sensei had formulated his request well. He had the choice, he was free.
«I'll have some fun. »
And he took Nagisa's place.
Asano didn't understand the strategy behind this move. Why put their best player in such a position? True, the receiver was important, but still?
Karma saw Marco gesture something by spreading his fingers.
Now he understood the earlier move and went to transmit the orders to the others.
The match continued… but the defense was… strange.
Nagisa and Karma were just in front of the beater, disturbing him.
«Hey baby, you're scared? Snickered Ace. «Don't worry like that, kitty boy, we'll take goooood care of you, ne, guys?
«Most certainly, Ace! Approved Nagisa trying not to laugh.
«I'm clearly placed in a way to distract the beater, pointed out Karma.
Rather, he was just in front of the bat.
«… but like how you did it, the referee don't say anything.
And how could he! Not after ignoring the precedent complaint.
«You don't mind right, Headmaster-san!?
Innocent and twisted. Izou would love this boy…
Asano understood immediately this part of the tactic. Well though and bold.
«As you wish, a great player won't lose his concentration for such a thing, approved the headmaster.
«Eeeh, you heard?!
«We can do as we please, said Nagisa.
And they placed themselves two feet away from the beater.
In the range of the bat.
Shindo didn't know what to think anymore.
«You look puzzled, sweetie, snickered Ace. Maybe you want some help? You don't seem to be in any state to raise this bat.
«Hit without care for us, super-star! Assured Karma. «We won't bother the thrower.
«That's a ludicrous bluff, hit the ball without restrain, Shindo-kun, advised the headmaster. « Even if you bash their skull, it's the class E that will receive a sanction for hindrance.
Ace made a disturbing chuckle and began talking. It was almost as if we could see the huge snake coming out of his lips and rolling himself around Shindo in a threatening way, making him cry out in fear. Nagisa could visualize the snake very well, holding Shindo in his rings and his head between his jaw.
If he had been in the beater's place, he himself would have been very scared. Between the words that send chills up the spine and blush from embarrassment and anger that Ace was saying, and Karma's own devil face… there really was something worth panicking and freak out.
The ball went and Shindo swung his bat wildly… to miss the skulls of Nagisa and Karma, but also the ball which came straight into Ace's glove.
Asano lost his smile.
The two young boys had avoided the hit almost without moving and he could perfectly see, from where he was, the evil smile on Ace's face and his lips move. The scared face from the referee that was making an effort not to run off screaming in fear, told him all there was to know.
Koro-sensei had chosen this boy in the less physical place for a good reason: a psychological attack which seemed to work wonder on Shindo.
«If you're so slow, it won't do, pointed out Karma with a huge grin.
He raised his glove and Shindo saw a knife in its place.
«The next time… Ace told him.
Shindo looked at him. He had a knife too, with flames on the blade, in the place of his glove.
«… hit as if you wished to kill us, ended the three boys.
Shindo lost totally his cool and became unable to apply the strategy of the headmaster. It was an abnormal show that was happening in front of their eyes.
The ball went and Shindo screamed in fear as he hit anyhow. She rebound and Karma caught it flying.
« Oi ! Hiken!
Ace caught easily the ball and put his glove on the ground with the ball.
«Good try, but you lost! Shihihihi! Laughed Ace.
And he sent the ball without a though to the third base, keeping a runner from going there. The ball was easily caught by Isogai who sent it to Kimura at the first base.
«No need to run Shindo-chan, take your time, chuckled Ace as the super-star fell on the ground, the force in his leg cut.
Kimura caught the ball and it was a triple game. The match was over, and as incredible as it seemed, it was a victory for the class E.
Asano turned his eyes toward Marco who had just came to sit beside him on the bench.
«Underestimate your opponent based on his lack of education and mean is a big mistake, yoi», the blond told him. «This made us all the more determinate. When we want something, we fight to get it, even if we have to spit blood for it. It was a good match. One all, for now, yoi. »
«I could fire you and expel this student. »
«Except that there is a clause in our contract that stipulate that no one has power over us, other than us, yoi. You don't have the power to throw us out. »
« I don't remember this clause. »
Marco stared at him with a raised eyebrow and a smirk.
« would advise you to read the contract again then, yoi. »
Essentially, he had rectified the contract, and in telling him, it meant that he had done everything to keep Asano from changing that.
And he stood up to congratulate the team.
The spectators may not have seen anything, but behind the scene, three coach were taken into a strategic battle.
.
.
« Ace…» promise me something, demanded Nagisa.
« What ? » Ace asked Nagisa.
« Never ever talk to me like you did Shindo. »
« Oooh, why wouldn't I do that cutie? » Purred the pirate as he pinched his cheek.
Thos words were similar to the paroles Ace had said to Shindo, but the tone was different, as was the intention, and it was clear for all. The proof was that everybody burst out laughing when Nagisa blushed madly.
« Words are words. It is the intention you put behind them that make them different. Karma has the good technique to reach my level… as for me, I did have a good teacher. »
The groan from Marco told them that he knew him.
« Izou is a dead man when we get home, yoi. Come, go shower everyone… Koro-sensei invite you to a restaurant. »
Everybody burst out laughing knowing that the teacher had once again lost his wallet and they prepared themselves to go back to the change room.
Shindo was sitting on the base, lost in his thoughts, when Sugino joined him.
« Shindo! »
And he kneeled to put himself on his level.
« Sorry, we weren't really fair play and put Ace to torture you psychologically was above vicious. But now, I know, you're stronger than me. »
He reached a hand toward him.
« I don't consider this as a victory. »
« Then why? » Asked Shindo without meeting his eyes, nor taking his hand. « Why go so far to win, if it wasn't to tell me that you were better than me? »
Sugino sighed and motion to the class E that was walking of to Shindo.
« Nagisa always help me when I train to throw the curve ball. Karma and Isogai have incredible reflexes. Ace is just outside of any categories, with his own objectives, and even if when we are in the other side, he can look like a monster, he is a nice classmate, always ready to help. Well, everyone progressed a lot for bunt shot. But without proof no one would have seen it. »
Sugino smiled a little embarrassed.
«All of this to say that I just want to brag a little about my new nakamas, to my old nakamas. »
Shindo looked at him an instant, then smiled.
«Don't forget Sugino, our next match will be in high school and I will have my rematch! »
«No problem! »
Sugino turned his head away thinking that it would take place if the Earth was still there. They stood up, Shindo accepting Sugino's helpping hand, under the watching eyes and smile of his comrades of the class E.
«Come on, do it», approved Isogai looking at Ace.
Ace whistled, calling Sugino.
«Oi! Larva! Move your fat ass to the shower already so we can go eat! Or I'll eat you're your plate too! »
«WHAT! » Exclaimed Sugino.
Ace's stomach answered him.
«I'm huuungry, move it, damnit! » Moaned the D. with crocodile tears.
«Remind us your age again, Ace? » Asked Kimura.
Marco shook his head with a small smile.