[This chapter may make some angry but calm your virgin asses down.]
[Put a little A.I in this chap, tell me immediately if the mf did anything to my writing cuz I may have missed sth when I proofread.]
[Give STONES it's a new week. We need to SMASH those rankings!!!]
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Deep within a dense forest, the ninja academy's training ground spread out.
Circular fighting rings made of some kind of cement. Each one about fifty feet in diameter and perfect for sparring.
Nature was all around, birds chirping, and leaves rustling.
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Garou POV/
I lay under a tree, eyes closed, head resting behind my head, and mind wandering.
'I wonder what master Bang is doing right now.' I mused. Somehow, I miss the old man even though he was so annoying.
He always had a quote, some wisdom or bullshit ready for every situation.
In a battle of words, you couldn't beat him. A master ragebaiter that looked like he didn't even try.
Or am I that easy to ragebait?
Step Step
I heard footsteps coming closer and I lift my head just enough to see who it is.
Yuji, and Satoshi right behind him.
Yuji walks over, looks at the spot beside me, and slowly lowers himself down and lies on his back. Satoshi takes the other side and start crunching chips.
"It's a nice weather," Yuji says, looking up at the clouds.
"Yeah."
There was a pause as no one spoke.
Then, pfft.
Yuji chuckles.
"Something amusing?" I look at him.
"Because of the 'yeah' kid. And you getting angry at him." A lazy smile spreads across his face.
"Don't even mention it, dude."
Silence settles over us with ust the three of us lying there, watching clouds drift by and Satoshi's chips crunching in the background.
Crunch Crunch Crunch.
It was peaceful, honestly.
Never expected I would someday lay down and do nothing in my life.
No goals, no dreams, no grand ideologies to pursue... nothing.
Just me and nature.
"Do you need my help?" Yuji's voice breaks the quiet.
"For what?"
"You know... Kanna."
I side eyed him. "Do I look like I need help?"
"Honestly? I already know you're strong. Stronger than me and Satoshi, probably. When you threw that punch back in the class, I couldn't even see how you moved." He was staring at the sky, his expression thoughtful.
"The fact that the students can't see that is something beyond my understanding and logic." He added.
"But there's a limit to what your body can do. We ninjas, or humans in general, use chakra to break that limit, y'know?" He said.
I looked at the sky for a minute, and then at the status screen only I could see. The part that says I'm only 40% human.
___________________
Status:
Race: Human 40% / Monster 60%
PowerLevel: Mid-high Chunin
Assimilated: 15%
___________________
Again, fuck whoever sealed this body. I look so pathetic. Should I go and attack a whole hidden village to trigger my reactive evolution? 3 years of busting my ass like never before just for this? Is it because I am still young?
"Do I look like a human to you?" I ask calmly as I smiled.
Yuji frowns and turns to look at me. "Are you not?"
Smart guy, he caught on the undertone immediately.
Not that I'm trying to tell him the truth outright because that'd be stupid, but it's kind of fun, dropping hints, seeing if people figure things out on their own. I don't want him to be completely blindsided when he sees me in THAT form someday.
Because let's be real. According to this Essence and my own speculations, one day, I'm gonna turn into a monster... completely.
I don't know what'll happen when that day comes. According to the OPM manga Miller read... when I turned into a Monster, my mind wasn't completely itself.
But I've got countermeasures in place. Things I'm working on, and ways to make sure I still stay... me and adapt, and not become an obsessive monster.
Mahoraga or Me?
Always bet on me.
"ATTENTION STUDENTS!! "
A loud voice booms across the training grounds as the chunin instructor called everyone to assemble.
I push myself up then dust off my clothes. "Let's go."
"Troublesome." Yuji groans, sitting up slowly.
Satoshi also gets up, silent as always, and chips somehow still in hand.
We make our way toward the center where everyone's gathering. Students glance at me as we pass, some stare, and some ignore me completely, but I don't care either way.
Tsunade's there and she raises her hand like she wants to say something.
I just walk past and give her a nod with a stoic face.
We stop in front of Katsuki, who's already shouting at the assembled students.
"Listen up, kids! Rules are simple. No lethal moves that kill. Everything else is allowed. UNDERSTOOD?!"
"YES!!" Fifty or so voices shout back.
"Now! The list of who fights who..." He unrolls a scroll and start reading off matchups.
Hyuga Tenshi vs. Civilian Mob
Nara Yuji vs. Jiraiya
Yamanaka Ken vs. Civilian Mob
Orochimaru vs. Shimura Kanna
Senju Tsunade vs. Satoshi Akimichi
Inuzuka Kinya vs. Garou
Uchiha Ryu vs. Sarutobi Kaneki
Aburame Kinshi vs. Civilian Mob
And so on.
"Sigh... what a drag." Yuji's voice beside me.
I glance at him. "Should be easy, right? Why complain? I know you're pretty strong yourself."
I don't know if it's normal for academy kids in this era to already be genin-level, but the students here are stronger than I expected. Tsunade and Orochimaru. They could probably give me a good fight. Not win, obviously. But a decent fight where I won't yawn.
I also heard from Tsunade that some students participated in the world war, but the Hokage brought them back to finish the academy like everybody else after the war ended.
Mid to high Chunin, according to this status sheet...that's my level. It made me question if I am in the manga version of the anime show or what because if after all that training and improvement I am still Mid Chunin according to the standards of this world then ninjas must be stronger than what I expected.
I mean ninjas are strong. My father is one of those I suspected that he could give my master Bang a good fight and maybe, mayyybe win which is a huge compliment. And Gintoki is an Elite ninja, not Kage level.
As for my own body. It feels sluggish which annoys me to no end. I don't know what the reason is, maybe because training alone can't help me become stronger fast. But whoever, or whatever, sent me here isn't gonna make it that easy. I can feel it.
That Seal on my body is doing something that suppresses accelerated growth for some reason.
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(A/N: Garou became a galaxy buster within some weeks in OPM canon, and I don't plan to make the story boring that soon with a shit like that. Just know that this MC will be strong enough so it doesn't feel like he is an underdog weak to strong who gets bullied, bossed around, and bull crap nobody likes to read about, because let's be honest, most of us put ourselves in the character's place. Who likes to be weak? Also, there will be a HUGGGE plot behind this, I ain't done this out of nowhere. So, trust my ass a little, I have been brainstorming for 3 years to come up with this plot.)
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Anyways, nothing to stress about. Just adapt and improvise.
"Jiraiya's not as weak as he pretends to be." Yuji's voice pulls me back. "He's actually a disciple of the Hokage with Tsunade and Orochimaru. They're probably the strongest students in the academy right now."
I raise my eyebrows. Hmm, So they're already his disciples.
Now I am a little disappointed not fighting them right away.
I should challenge them someday. All three at once.
I file the thought away and focus back on the front.
Students start preparing for their matches.
A hand shoots up suddenly, and my mouth spreads into a wide grin as I saw that.
"Yes, Kanna. What do you want?" Katsuki acknowledges him.
"Cough. Well, I want to fight Hatake Garou. If you don't mind, Katsuki-sensei." Kanna's smile was small, confident, and smug.
Murmurs ripple through the students. Surprised expressions everywhere.
"Kanna'll kill him," some boy whispers.
"No cap. He's dead."
"He should just give up. No way he wins against Kanna."
"SILENCE!!! "
Katsuki's shout cuts through and everyone shuts up.
He looks at me and holds my gaze for a moment. "Do you agree to this, Garou?"
"Don't have a problem."
"Are you sure?" There's almost worry in his voice. Pretty sure he is worried for Kanna and knows that I ain't a joke.
"Yes."
"Okay then. Please go easy, aight? Matches will change accordingly. You two can fight each other, so be ready!" He pleaded not to fuck up the kid, but why not?
"Don't worry Sensei! I will hold back my strength to not break him." Kanna said smugly, and Katsuki just gave him a pitiful look.
'May the Sage protect your holes dumbass.' Katsuki prayed for Kanna. Katsuki internally cheered Garou to beat the hell outta the kid because this Shimura has been a pain in the ass for too long and he couldn't do shit to him because of his background.
Yep, his eyes too blind to see Mount Tai as they say.
I lock eyes with Kanna and grin at him innocently.
[Picture]
He stares back with that arrogant smirk.
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TsunadePOV/
I watch Garou stretch in the ring, roll his shoulders, crack his neck, and move like he doesn't have a care in the world.
Complicated doesn't even begin to cover what I'm feeling right now.
"You look worried." Orochimaru's voice slides in beside me.
I glance at him. "Why do you think that?"
"You've been staring at him for a while now." He raises an eyebrow. "Friends from somewhere?"
"Sighhh, well... when I was a child, my grandma used to talk about him sometimes. Told me to be his friend and all." I pause, memories bubbling up. Not really wanting to tell Orochi that Garou is one of her suitors. "I only met him once before, but... honestly? He's memorable."
Orochimaru's other eyebrow joins the first.
I look at Orochimaru, and he's staring back like he found something unusual.
"What?"
"Should you really ask me that?"
"But why?! I don't get it!"
He rubs his forehead tiredly, "Tsunade, do you think we are blind?"
"I don't know, you tell me, are you?" I answer, not entirely sure what he means.
"Jiraiya is. Anyways, you have been practically drooling since that guy came to class."
"Huuuh?"
"Tsunade." He looks at me like he's explaining something to a particularly slow student. "I checked your pulse back in class. Heartbeat faster, skin hot, blushes, increased saliva production, dilated pupils, and you glanced at him forty-seven times in the first hour. All symptoms lead to one conclusion–"
"..."
"You are crushing hard." Orochimaru simply said with a deadpan.
Now Tsunade was speechless, but more than that, she was blushing.
"O...Orochi, you shut up before I make you." I threatened, red faced.
"Forty-seven times, Tsunade. I counted." He pulled out a small notebook. "Also, your pulse just spiked again."
"Stoppppppp!!!"
He scribbled something. "Denial stage. Noted."
"I. Will. Kill. You!"
"Violence confirms the hypothesis." He tucked the notebook away. "Also, he's looking this way. You might want to act normal."
I whipped around so fast I nearly gave myself whiplash, but Garou wasn't looking.
The snake bastard lied.
"OROCHIMARU!"
That infuriating smirk plastered on his face. "Accept it Tsunade, accept the hornines–" I didn't let him finish as I raised my fist which immediately made him shut up.
I hate him. I really, really hate him.
The bastard only smiled knowingly before he focused back on the ring and immediately narrowed his eyes as he looked at Garou.
Damn! Am I really that easy??
No! Of course not! Orochi is wrong! I am just... appreciating art. Yeah! Definitely didn't pick up that sentence from that muscle man.
Art is art, muscle is art and nothing is wrong with looking. Every fiber is a story.
UmU
I turn back to the ring. Garou stands on one side and waited. Kanna on the other side smirking like he's already won.
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GarouPOV/
I stand in my spot, waiting for the chunin teacher to announce the start. Mind wandering through martial arts options. Which style should I use?
Modern martial arts are out. That Uchiha is in the crowd, if he's got a Sharingan, he could copy everything. Not that it matters too much, but I want these techniques for my future disciples. When I open my dojo someday. Add chakra to the mix and they become deadly.
I pull up the list in my head.
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Martial Arts:
· Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist
· Whirlwind Iron Cutting Fist
· Void Boxing Style
· Niko Style
· Shigan
· Modern Martial Arts
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NikoStyle it is.
It has four Katas...
Adamantine Kata... Durability.
Flame Kata... Speed.
Redirection Kata... Knock off Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist.
Water Kata... Flexibility and Fluidity.
[Niko style: In the world of underground martial arts, Niko Style is a complete system created by a single, unnamed master. Passed down to Ohma Tokita through his adoptive father, it is built on four core katas: Adamantine for hardening, Water for grappling, Flame for footwork, and Redirection for deflecting force. By combining these principles, a fighter can adapt to any situation and unleash unique and ultimate techniques.]
No Sharingan or whatever, can copy this. Not without the specific training methods. The body has to be pushed in absurd ways that only I know how. Same as Rokushiki from One Piece. Without guidance it's Impossible. Only very weak derivatives and Rip-offs can be recreated even if copied, of that I am pretty sure.
That bastard Gintoki could copy the Water Stream as if it's normal. I never asked to fight with Gintoki after knowing that.
He couldn't afford to be careless like Miller. Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist martial arts is the foundation to create insanity.
If someone talented like himself got that martial arts and improvised on it then things he didn't like will happen. And this world, didn't lack geniuses... not on his level of course, but you never know.
He needed to become stronger and create the improvised and stronger martial arts that couldn't be copied, like Monster Calamity God Slayer Fist.
"ATTENTION!!" Katsuki's voice cuts through. Students shuffle back from the ring. "First match starts in a moment! Back away in case of stray attacks!"
The crowd shifts and the space opens up.
"NOW! Hatake Garou and Shimura Kanna, are you two ready?!"
"Yes." ×2
"Great. Now, the Seal of Reconciliation."
Kanna slowly raises his hands, ready to form the seal.
I don't move and don't even cup my hands together.
The moment I knew what kind of person he was, he stopped being a regular opponent. He became trash! And trash don't get respect.
"You mocking me?!" Kanna's teeth grit.
I look at him for a moment. Then settle into Flame Stance Kata. Similar to boxing, but looser. Left hand clenched near my chest. Right hand relaxed near my stomach and legs slightly bent.
[Picture]
I shift left and right in a slow rhythm and I pointed at him to approach.
Kanna's teeth grind harder and a kunai appears in his hand.
SWOOSH.
He dashes forward fast but I can react easily. He closes the distance, right in front of me–
"TAKE THIS!!"
The kunai stabs toward my stomach.
Closer. Closer. Until the tip touches–
Kanna grins as he thinks he's won.
Flame Kata: Phantom Pace!
[Picture]
The kunai passes through my body without resistance and no blood drew. My form disperses like smoke.
An afterimage.
Shock hits Kanna's face and he tilts his head just in time, my punch aimed at his skull whistles past and he backflips away, putting distance between us.
"How did you do that?!" His voice cracks.
I glance at the crowd and the students stare with wide eyes. Katsuki too. Even some of the clan kids look genuinely surprised.
I just give him a small mocking smile.
Phantom Pace. Sidestep at the exact moment before an attack lands. Makes it look like the attack phased through you. It's all about Footwork and timing.
Veins bulge on his forehead as I ignored him. Blue chakra coats his limbs, probably trying to boost his speed.
He dashes again faster this time and harder to track but still nothing to me.
My perception sharpens, the world slows down.
SWOOSH! STAB!
Same move aiming for my shoulder now.
Flame Kata: Phantom Pace!
I sidestep and an afterimage forms but he predicts it this time and spins toward my real position and slashes.
Flame Kata: Phantom Pace!
Another sidestep, another dodge and I back away a few steps.
I could do this all day.
It's like playing a game where you have memorised the boss moves and you just simply dodge the attacks you anticipated. But the boss is a child in this case.
"Is dodging the only thing you can do?" Kanna taunted as he tried to get a reaction.
I grin, settle back into stance, then, I kick off my tai chi slippers and toss them aside because I didn't want to rip them off, they cost money.
Kanna blinks as if asking what removing some ugly shoes gonna do.
"Why's he doing that?" someone in the crowd mutters.
"Shhh, just watch."
Whispers spread and clan kids lean forward, focusing hard on my every move. Probably trying to figure out that technique from earlier.
They all expected the chakra-less guy to be beaten up at first, but my earlier actions proved that I got them moves.
If I were someone else, more cautious, I'd be worried right now. Worried about Danzo. Worried about Hiruzen. Worried about scheming and politics and all that crap.
But here's the thing.
I hate being low-key, I hate hiding and hate tip-toeing around like I'm scared of my own shadow.
I'm not a schemer and never was. I'm a go-with-the-flow type of guy. If something bad happens? Whatever. Don't give a single fuck. I will just do what I am good at... smash skulls.
My bare toes dig into the ground and heels rise.
Flame Kata: Raging Fire!
[Picture]
BOOM! SWOOSH!
I blitz forward in a straight line and leave a small crater where I stood. Moving so fast that only Katsuki, and maybe some clan kids with cheat eyes can track me... barely.
I appear in front of Kanna.
His eyes go wide with mouth opens and no time to react.
My fist drives into his stomach.
PAW.
He lifts off the ground, crumples around my fist with saliva spray from his mouth and eyes rolled back.
Time to fly.
Grinning deviously, I start raining punches. One after another as I keep him suspended. Not letting him touch the ground.
PAW PAW PAW PAW PAW PAW!
Then I stop, back away, and let him breathe.
Thud.
He hits the ground, curls up, then clutchs his stomach and starts wheezing.
Blurgh.
He then vomits food content, blood, and Snot... all mixed together.
'Hop hop hop, wait a fucking minute!' Katsuki internally screamed.
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JiraiyaPOV/
"Eyyy!" Sweat drips down my head as I point at Garou. "I thought I heard someone say he can't use chakra!!"
"He didn't use chakra."
I spin around to see Hyuga Tenshi's sperm eyes are locked on the ring with dead seriousness.
"Heeeeh~ Hyuuuuga Tenshi-san izzzz corrrrectt." Uchiha Ryu flips his long, pitch-black wavy hair. His eyes literally sparkle for a second. "Eeeevn with MYYYY Sharingan, I can't seeee a thinggg!"
"What do you mean you two can't see his chakra?! Clean your magic eyes dudes!" I ignore the flamboyant weirdo. Some people say he's a hybrid Uchiha, that's why he's like this. But blood tests confirm he's pure which is weird as hell if you ask me.
"I only see many small shining dots around his body." Tenshi's voice is calm. "He doesn't have tenketsu either."
"You mean that was all pure muscle and physical strength?! That is crazyyyy, and I am jealous." Jiraiya muttered at the end. Maybe if he also had a body like that, he could seduce some Obasans.
I look at Tsunade and she's as shocked as everyone else.
Orochimaru? He had his eyes narrowed, muttering things to himself. Why is he licking his lips though? Creepy fucker.
I turn back to the ring.
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KatsukiPOV/
I stare at the kid who just did the impossible. How? HOW can someone move that fast without chakra? Is this what pure physical might looks like? His speed is already chunin-level for Rikudo's sake.
I compose myself and look at Kanna who was still curled up on the ground.
"SHIMURA KANNA! Do you admit defeat?"
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GarouPOV/
I watch Kanna with indifference and wait for his answer.
I held back a lot and didn't put real strength into those punches. My fists could smash tanks like paper if I wanted it, but it's not worth using that on a kid.
"HOW DARE YOUUUUU!!!"
Kanna shoots up with humiliation plastered across his sorry ass face.
What an unpleasant voice. Okay, maybe I should go max level on him; I thought.
Kanna's hands fly through some seals fast.
Horse. Serpent. Ram. Monkey. Boar. Horse. Tiger.
"FIRE STYLE: FIREBALL JUTSU!"
Thanks for advertising that, idiot.
The fireball roars toward me. It was massive and it was coming fast.
Dodge or not?
Hmm... should I show off a little? Make sure the other kids don't bother me again?
I put a hand on my chin and consider my options.
Yeah... no dodge.
I stand still with shadows covering my face.
The temperature rises, and the air shimmers as the fireball got closer.
"DOOOODGEEEE!!!" Katsuki screams frantically.
BOOM!!
"HOLY SHIT!"
"Dammmmm!"
"OH MY GOD!!"
"Fuck the school system! we got a new victim! He only lasted 3 hours!"
"3 hours?!! My best is 5 seconds!"
"KYAHHH!! HE'S DEAD!!"
Shouts, cries, and panic as the training ground erupts.
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TsunadePOV/
I watch Garou disappear into flames.
I couldn't move or think.
Tears well up as my legs tense to rush forward and to save him.
But I felt a hand on my shoulder.
"WHAT?!" I shout at Orochimaru furiously.
"Just look." He points.
It didn't take long to see what happened. Wind sweeps across the ring as the fire disperses and the smoke clears.
And Garou?
Bare chested, torn fabric hanging from his waist and his body steaming from the heat.
Muscles protrude like rugged hills and valleys. Veins pop along his skin. Chest like a shield. Abs like armor. Standing there completely unharmed and his head tilted slightly while frowning.
The audience stares as every eye almost pop out of sockets with mouths hanging open.
'Owwwhh ma God!' I unknowingly stare at perfection.
[Picture]
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GarouPOV/
I look at Kanna. He's staring at me like I'm some kind of monster.
Well... I am.
'My clothes though,' I thought.
Some people might wonder how I survived.
And the answer?
Adamantine Kata: Indestructible!
[Picture]
Iron-like body that defends against powerful blows. But against high temperatures? It should still hurt though, right?
'My clothes man, they cost money.' I thought.
So, why am I fine?
The answer is... Adaptation.
I trained my body in extreme situations. Heat resistance was one of them as I spent hours pushing my limits and had to endure Gintoki laughing his ass off at me for skewering my self on scorching fire like a cow ready to be eaten.
'My damn clothes.'
Now I stand here and look at the little punk...
Menacingly.
'My fucking clothes dude.'
The End.