章節 5: Sparing Partner!
Itachi jolted awake, his breath coming in short gasps as the remnants of another nightmare clung to him. His room was dark, the only light coming from the faint glow of the clock on his bedside table. 3 a.m. He sighed, running a hand through his hair as he lay back down, trying to push away the haunting memories that refused to leave him in peace.
For a while, he just lay there, staring up at the ceiling, his mind a storm of thoughts. Eventually, he managed to drift off into an uneasy sleep, only to be awakened again by a soft knock at his door.
He sat up, still groggy, as he heard Rumi's voice. "Itachi, you awake?"
He rubbed his eyes and responded, "Yeah, I'm awake."
The door creaked open, and Rumi stepped in, a soft smile on her face. She was dressed casually but stylishly in a relaxed fit tee with frill-trimmed sleeves, paired with cropped trousers that had a matching frill trim on the cuffs. The outfit suited her, giving her a mix of femininity and confidence that matched her personality.
"It's almost 5 now," she said gently. "Time to get ready for the gym."
Itachi nodded, still shaking off the remnants of sleep, and headed to the bathroom. As he splashed cold water on his face, Rumi's voice called out from the other side of the door. "Use the face wash at the basin; it'll help refresh your skin."
He glanced around and found the green bottle she mentioned. "This one?" he asked, holding it up.
"Yeah, that's the one," she confirmed.
He squeezed out a small amount and worked it into his skin, feeling the cool, invigorating sensation as he washed away the fatigue. When he looked in the mirror, he noticed how much more awake and alert he felt. A small but genuine smile tugged at his lips. He didn't often indulge in self-care like this, but it was a surprisingly nice change.
Stepping out of the bathroom, he found Rumi already dressed in her gym clothes—a dark green seamless crop-top and matching shorts that showed off her athletic physique. She exuded confidence, ready to tackle whatever the day threw at her.
"Change into your gym clothes," she said with a grin, nodding towards the outfit she'd laid out for him.
Itachi nodded and quickly got dressed in a grey raglan top and black shorts. He grabbed his gym bag, feeling more awake and focused now.
"Ready?" Rumi asked, her eyes bright with energy.
"Yeah, let's go," Itachi replied, feeling a sense of calm settle over him as they headed out together.
As they walked to the gym, the early morning air was crisp, and the city was still waking up. Itachi found himself appreciating the quiet, the steady rhythm of their footsteps, and Rumi's reassuring presence beside him.
As they reached the Rabbit Fitness Center, the early morning silence gave way to the hum of anticipation. Rumi flipped on the lights, the gym coming to life under the bright fluorescent glow. She dropped her gym bag by the wall, motioning for Itachi to do the same.
"Alright, let's start with some warm-up exercises," she said, her voice carrying a hint of excitement. Itachi nodded, following her lead as they moved through a series of dynamic stretches, loosening up their muscles for the workout ahead.
"Cardio next, for about 15-20 minutes," Rumi instructed, hopping onto a treadmill. Itachi mirrored her, setting his pace as they began running side by side. The steady rhythm of their steps filled the gym, the early morning energy slowly building within them. After completing their run, they stepped off the treadmills, both breathing a bit heavier but clearly energized.
"Now for some squats," Rumi said, her tone more focused. Itachi nodded again, following her movements as they began their sets. For the next 10-15 minutes, they pushed through the exercise, their legs burning as they powered through each repetition.
When they finished, Rumi straightened up, a satisfied smile on her face. "Good job. Now, let's move on to legs. How about some leg presses?"
Itachi, ever composed, nodded. "Sure. What do we start with?"
Rumi grinned, glancing over at the leg press machine. "There's only one leg press, so we'll have to take turns."
Itachi smiled slightly, stepping back with a small gesture. "Ladies first."
Rumi chuckled, appreciating the gesture. "How gentlemanly of you." She moved to the machine, lying back on the 45-degree bench. "Can you set the weight to 190 kgs?" she asked.
Itachi nodded, adjusting the machine to her desired weight. Rumi began her set, feeling the strain in her legs as she pressed the weight. Meanwhile, Itachi moved to the pull-up bar, deciding to use the time efficiently while Rumi completed her set.
As Rumi finished her leg presses, she called out, "Itachi!" He quickly dismounted the pull-up bar, coming over to reduce the weight on the machine as she stood up.
"Your turn," she said, stepping aside.
Itachi nodded, positioning himself on the machine. Rumi asked, "How much weight?"
Itachi thought for a moment before answering, "Around 130 kgs."
Rumi smiled, impressed. "I was thinking about the same." She adjusted the weight accordingly and watched as Itachi began his set. As she observed him, she noted how his muscles tensed and relaxed with each press. He wasn't overly muscular, but there was undeniable strength and control in his movements.
After a few sets, Rumi called out, "Okay, that's enough." She reduced the weight as Itachi stood up, wiping the sweat from his brow.
Rumi handed him a towel with a grin. "Take a three-minute break, and then we'll move on."
Itachi nodded, taking the towel with a small smile as he wiped his face. The brief moment of rest allowed both of them to catch their breath and mentally prepare for the next part of their training session.
After a brief break, Rumi smirked, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "Now, let's get to the main event, shall we?"
Itachi, recognizing the look in her eyes, nodded. "Here? Isn't it a bit cramped?"
Rumi grinned, her confidence unwavering. "Don't worry, just follow me."
He nodded, following her to the next room. As they entered, he couldn't help but be impressed by the wide, open space. "That's impressive, I must say."
Rumi's grin widened. "Right?" She took a few steps ahead before turning to face him, her gaze locking onto his. "Now, let's see what you can do."
Itachi nodded, getting into his stance. "Should I use my quirk?"
"Just don't hold back," Rumi replied, her grin growing wider.
Itachi nodded again, but silently decided not to use his Mangekyō Sharingan. He activated his Sharingan instead, his eyes glowing with the familiar three-tomoe pattern.
Rumi's eyes widened slightly as she noticed the change. "It looks similar to Eraserhead's quirk."
Itachi shook his head. "It is, but very different."
Rumi grinned, settling into her fighting stance. She found herself drawn to the three dots in his eyes, thinking to herself that they looked good on him. "Alright then, let's start."
Without another word, she rushed at him in a blur, aiming a high kick. Itachi remained composed, crossing his arms upward to block the attack. As their limbs connected, Rumi felt a thrill. *He didn't dodge, he blocked it… I'm loving this!*
She quickly followed up with a second kick from her other leg, aiming lower. Itachi ducked to dodge it, only to block a punch from her as she quickly transitioned into a strike with her hand. She dropped low, aiming a kick upwards, but Itachi dodged with a graceful backflip.
Now, it was his turn. He rushed at her, aiming a low kick. Rumi jumped to avoid it, but Itachi followed her into the air, attempting a high kick. Rumi countered by tackling him mid-air and pushing him away.
*She uses her legs more than her hands,* Itachi noted, analyzing her fighting style. Deciding to exploit this, he rushed at her again, targeting her legs. Rumi noticed his strategy and grinned, appreciating his quick thinking.
*He's targeting my legs… great move,* she thought, and then executed her Luna Ring technique, performing a cartwheel in the air with her legs extended. Itachi tried to block it, but he felt a sharp numbing sensation in his arms. *She uses momentum in her kicks… that was a strong one.*
Rumi, feeling more and more excited, grinned as she taunted, "How's your hand, Itachi?"
He grinned back. "Good for now."
Rumi could tell that Itachi was enjoying the fight as much as she was. "Let's raise the level, then!" she declared, rushing at him again. She activated her Luna Fall technique, swinging her foot downwards while airborne, aiming to drive him into the ground with a powerful kick.
Itachi remained standing, seemingly unphased by her attack. The kick connected, sending him crashing into the ground. Rumi smirked, thinking she had won. "You lose."
Itachi flashes a grin and points in the left direction. Confused, she turned and saw Itachi standing a few feet away, completely unharmed. Her eyes widened in disbelief as she looked down at the spot where she had kicked him. She saw crows dispersing from the figure on the ground, the remnants of a genjutsu.
Before she could react, she felt a light touch on her neck. Itachi's calm voice whispered, "It's over."
Rumi, still in shock, realized what had happened. "I was in an illusion," she said, her voice laced with a mix of awe and frustration.
Itachi nodded. "You were."
Rumi let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding. "That was… some disturbing illusion."
Itachi stepped back, allowing her to regain her composure. The intensity of their sparring match lingered in the air, but beneath it, there was a new layer of mutual respect and understanding. Rumi, though still reeling from the genjutsu, couldn't help but smile.
As they finished their stretching routine, Rumi looked at Itachi with a curious expression. "So, when you cast that illusion on me... It happened when I looked into your eyes, right?"
Itachi nodded, a bead of sweat forming on his forehead. Rumi noticed and gave him a reassuring smile. "You know how to use your quirk on someone with lost memories. Impressive."
Itachi exhaled, relieved. "I'm glad it was effective."
"Don't worry," Rumi said, patting his shoulder lightly. "Let's finish up with some stretches."
They moved through a series of stretches—Buttock stretch, Hamstring stretch, Inner thigh stretch—holding each for 10 to 15 seconds. When they finished, Rumi glanced at her watch and sighed. "It's already time."
Itachi nodded, a hint of satisfaction in his voice. "It was fun sparring with you, Rumi."
Rumi smiled back, clearly enjoying the session. "Yeah, that was a thrill like no other. I haven't felt this excited in a long time."
Itachi returned her smile. "I'm grateful for the experience."
Rumi chuckled, "Come on now, let's go. I'm starving."
Itachi grinned playfully, "Understood, ma'am." They both laughed as they headed back home.
When they arrived, Rumi said, "I'll take a shower and get ready, okay?"
Itachi nodded as she left for the bathroom. Meanwhile, he walked into the kitchen, noticing some eggs, carrots, and leftover rice. Smiling to himself, he decided to whip up some egg fried rice.
As Rumi showered, she caught the aroma wafting through the house. She smiled to herself, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. *He's quite dependable,* she thought.
After her shower, Rumi changed into her hero costume. When she entered the dining area, she saw Itachi plating the food. She couldn't resist teasing him. "If someone sees you like this, many women will fall for you."
Itachi spared her a glance and smiled, rendering her momentarily speechless. He observed her hero costume: a sleeveless white leotard with dark purple trim at the shoulders and waist, a broad yellow crescent moon on her chest, and a single thick metal plate encircling her midriff. She paired her leotard with purple thigh-high boots, adorned with additional plating around the heels and toes, giving her feet a rabbit-like appearance. She also wore thick, white gloves with long cuffs, featuring small triangular protrusions along the edges. "Is this your hero outfit?"
Rumi nodded with a smirk, "Is it too revealing?"
Itachi, ever the gentleman, nodded as he set the plates on the table. "Yes," he replied honestly. But before she could react, he continued, "But I understand it's for your movement. It suits your fighting style."
Rumi was slightly taken aback by his straightforwardness but quickly smiled. "Thank you, Itachi," she said, sitting down to eat. As she started to dig in, her phone rang. It was Aizawa.
"Yes, Aizawa-san?" she answered.
On the other end, Aizawa's voice was as monotone as ever. "Tell Itachi that I have his hero costume and hall ticket with me. He should come to U.A. to pick them up."
Rumi nodded, "Okay, I'll let him know." After hanging up, she looked at Itachi with a smile. "Your costume is ready, and your hall ticket is here as well."
Itachi smiled, "That's nice," he said, thinking to himself, *Hall ticket... this must be like the entry ticket for the Chunin Exams.*
"You'll need to go to U.A. High to pick them up," Rumi informed him.
"I can handle it," Itachi replied confidently. "I know your home is near U.A., right?"
Rumi nodded, "It is. You'll manage just fine."
As they began eating, Rumi's eyes lit up. "This is so good!" she exclaimed.
Itachi smiled, "I'm glad you like it."
Rumi finished her meal quickly, glancing at the time. "It's getting late. I'll take my leave now. Bye, Itachi."
Itachi nodded, waving as she left. "Take care."
As Itachi prepared to leave for U.A. High, he thought about the day ahead. He looked into his wardrobe and smiled as he picked out a simple yet stylish outfit: a white t-shirt, a black jacket, and black pants. After checking himself in the mirror and giving a small smile of approval, he put on his shoes, locked the house, and set out.
On his way to U.A., Itachi noticed people looking at him and overheard some of their conversations.
"Isn't that the guy who was with No. 20 hero, Mirko?" one person said.
"Yeah, he looks so handsome! The clothes he's wearing—he has good taste," another added.
"Of course, he does! He's her boyfriend, right? She's hot, and he's handsome," someone else chimed in.
Hearing this, Itachi could only sweatdrop, remembering his conversation with Rumi. She had said she didn't care what others thought, as long as it was him. He smiled at the memory but then decided to avoid further attention. In an instant, he disappeared, leaving the onlookers bewildered as they wondered where he had gone.
Itachi swiftly made his way to U.A., leaping from rooftop to rooftop. When he arrived, he noticed someone standing outside the school—a man with the appearance of a dog, complete with a scruffy mane of blond hair and a muzzle. Recognizing the man's hero costume, Itachi approached and greeted him.
"Hello, sir," Itachi said politely.
The man turned to him and asked, "Who are you?"
Bowing slightly, Itachi replied, "I am Itachi Uchiha."
The man studied him for a moment before nodding. "So, you're Itachi Uchiha. I'm Ryo Inui, hero name Hound Dog."
"Hello, Inui-san," Itachi responded with a bow.
Hound Dog nodded and said, "Principal Nezu is waiting for you."
Itachi nodded in return, and the two made their way inside the school. When they reached Principal Nezu's office, Hound Dog knocked on the door.
"Come in," came Nezu's voice from within.
Entering the office, Itachi saw Nezu sitting at his desk, sipping tea. Bowing once more, he greeted, "Hello, Principal Nezu."
Nezu smiled warmly. "Welcome, Uchiha-san. You might know why I've called you here."
Itachi nodded. "Aizawa-san has prepared my hero outfit and my hall ticket for the hero license."
Nezu nodded in agreement. "Indeed, and I must say, your hero name has received quite a bit of praise. Even Midnight likes it."
Itachi sweatdropped slightly. "Yeah..."
Nezu chuckled. "She can be a bit much, but she's our R-rated hero, so it can't be helped."
Itachi nodded, and Nezu continued, "There's one more thing I need you to do."
Itachi looked at him curiously. "And that is?"
Before Nezu could answer, the door burst open, and a loud voice echoed through the room, "Worry not, fellows, because I am here!"
Itachi sighed inwardly, thinking, *Why is he always so loud?*
Nezu smiled, seemingly unfazed by All Might's entrance. "Today, All Might has a lecture in Class 1-A. I'd like you to assist him."
Itachi understood immediately. "You want me to help him with the class?"
Nezu nodded. "You're quick to understand. This will also be beneficial for your hero training."
Itachi thought back to his recent sparring session with Rumi. "I've already fought with Mirko, so I'm prepared for this."
Nezu, intrigued, raised an eyebrow. "I've heard rumors about your relationship with Mirko."
Itachi sighed again. "It's nothing like that. She's just kind to me, that's all." He gave a small smile, and Nezu nodded in understanding.
From behind, All Might spoke up, "So, young Uchiha, are you ready?"
Itachi nodded but hesitated for a moment. "Can I say one thing?"
All Might looked at him curiously. "Of course."
"I want to spar with everyone, I want to test them myself," Itachi said confidently.
All Might smiled widely. "Don't worry, young Uchiha, I'll allow it."
Itachi bowed respectfully. "Thank you, All Might."
All Might chuckled and said, "So, shall we move?"
Itachi nodded, ready for what lay ahead.
As the students of Class 1-A settled into their seats, Aizawa, with his usual tired expression, addressed them, "Listen up, you brats. Today's class won't be conducted by me. It will be done by someone you already know—"
But before he could finish, the door abruptly swung open, and All Might burst into the room with his booming voice, "Hello, young students! Fear not, because I am here!"
The students' eyes widened in excitement, and they exclaimed, "All Might is our teacher today!"
Aizawa, clearly frustrated, sighed and said, "Do that again, and I'll make you regret it, All Might."
All Might sweatdropped and quickly apologized, "I'm sorry, Aizawa."
Mina, brimming with enthusiasm, asked, "Are you going to take our class, All Might?"
With his signature smile, All Might responded, "Yes, young one!"
Bakugo, always eager for a challenge, grinned and said, "Finally, someone strong is taking our class."
Kirishima, admiring All Might's appearance, added, "All Might in his Golden Age hero costume is so manly!"
Kaminari nodded in agreement, "I know, right?"
Izuku, gazing at his idol, thought to himself, *All Might is here...*
But then All Might raised a hand and said, "Young ones, I'm not the only one here today." He stepped aside, revealing a familiar face.
Momo's eyes lit up as she recognized him, "It's Uchiha-san!"
Itachi smiled warmly and greeted them, "Hello, everyone."
Bakugo, however, wasn't as welcoming. "Why is this bastard here?!" he growled.
Tenya interjected, "That's not a good way to speak about our sensei." He then turned to Itachi and said, "I apologize, Uchiha-sensei."
Itachi smiled and nodded but ignored the outburst and continued, "I'm here for your training."
The class buzzed with excitement at the prospect.
All Might then explained, "Yes, he is here to test his and your strength. He'll be going to give a hero test tomorrow."
The students began to mutter among themselves, the excitement palpable.
Aizawa, placing a hand on Itachi's shoulder, spoke with a rare smile, "I have your costume and your ticket with me. Get them when you leave, okay?"
The students were taken aback by Aizawa's gentle smile, and Mina exclaimed, "Did everyone see that?"
Uraraka and Jiro nodded in agreement, "Yeah, we saw it."
Minate wide eyes, "I can laugh," to which tusyu shockingly responded, "No doubt about it!"
Aizawa quickly reverted to his usual stern self, "Shut up, you brats."
Itachi, smiling at the interaction, thanked Aizawa, "Thank you, Aizawa-san."
Aizawa nodded, and Mina, with a mischievous glint in her eye, couldn't resist the opportunity to stir things up. "Uchiha-san," she called out in a sing-song voice, "I have a juicy question for you."
Itachi, sensing her playful tone, turned to her with a raised eyebrow. "What is it?"
Mina leaned forward, her grin widening. "So... what's the deal with you and Mirko? You two seem awfully close, I have seen your photos in public " she teased, wiggling her eyebrows suggestively.
Itachi, maintaining his composure despite the unexpected question, shook his head. "There's no 'deal'," he replied evenly. "Mirko and I are not in a relationship."
"Come on, Uchiha-san," Ochaco chimed in, her cheeks pink with suppressed laughter. "You can tell us! We won't tell anyone, promise!"
"I'm with Uraraka," Tsuyu added, her wide eyes blinking innocently. "I don't know, ribbit. Sensei does seem to get along with Mirko really well. Maybe they just click?"
Hagakure's invisible figure bounced with enthusiasm. "Ooooh, I bet you two go on secret dates after hero work!"
Kirishima, never one to miss out on some fun, smirked and leaned over his desk. "It's gotta be more than just work, right? That's so manly, Uchiha-san!"
Ashido nudged Yaoyorozu, who was trying her best to stay out of the teasing. "What do you think, Momo? Is Uchiha-sensei really keeping secrets from us?"
Momo, caught off guard, stammered slightly as she tried to find the right words. "I-I wouldn't know," she said, her face turning a light shade of pink. "But I'm sure whatever the situation is, it's purely professional!"
All this teasing was too much for Mineta, who was practically fuming in his seat. He crossed his arms, glaring at his classmates. "Why do all the handsome heroes have to get close to the hottest girls? It's so unfair!" he whined, his jealousy painfully obvious.
The classroom erupted in laughter as Itachi maintained his calm, unflappable demeanor. His gaze swept over the teasing faces before settling back on Mina, who looked all too pleased with herself.
"If it helps you sleep at night," Itachi began, his voice carrying a hint of amusement, "you're all free to imagine whatever you like. But as I said, there's nothing between Mirko and me."
All Might, eager to get started, interjected, "Alright, everyone, get ready in your hero costumes and come outside, okay?"
With that, All Might, Aizawa, and Itachi left the room, leaving the students buzzing with anticipation for what was to come.
While engaged in her hero duties, Mirko apprehended some thieves, returned a purse to an elderly lady, and kindly advised, "Be careful next time, okay?" Suddenly, she noticed someone landing beside her—and it was a woman with chin-length blonde hair, which she wore swept back with a headband, a long fringe over the right side of her face, covering her eye. She has thin, yellow, inward-tilting eyes with slit pupils and notably sharp teeth, these aspects are purposefully reptilian as a reference to her Quirk.
A woman with a dark red, traditional qipao approached, her outfit adorned with pale green scale trim around her shoulders, a slit on the left side, yellow claw patterns along the bottom, and smaller ones around her neck. Her knee-high boots, a strap around her exposed thigh, and long, almost sleeve-like white gloves gave her a distinctive, formidable appearance. Her matching green headband, with four large pale purple claws attached, covered the right side of her face, and a set of small black dragon wings protruded from the back of her head. Her left ear was decorated with gold spiked cartilage piercings. She smiled as she spotted a familiar figure.
"So, you've finally found someone, huh?" the woman remarked with a knowing grin.
Rumi, who had been walking ahead, stopped and turned, her eyes lighting up. "Look who it is—Ryukyu!" she exclaimed.
Ryukyu, or Ryuko, as she was known to friends, smiled warmly. "We meet after all this time, huh, Rumi?"
Rumi returned the smile, a hint of nostalgia in her voice. "Yeah, it's been a while, Ryuko."
Ryuko raised an eyebrow playfully. "So, have you found anyone?"
Rumi chuckled, shaking her head. "Not yet, Ryuko."
But Ryuko wasn't about to let it go that easily. She stepped closer, a teasing glint in her eyes. "Oh? Then how do you explain those pictures that went viral on social media? You know the ones I'm talking about."
Rumi sighed, a smile tugging at her lips. "He warned me about that."
Ryuko's curiosity was piqued. "Now you have to tell me everything about him."
Rumi laughed softly, a bit sheepish. "I still don't know much about him, to be honest."
Ryuko's curiosity only grew. "But you must know his name, right?"
Rumi nodded. "Yeah, his name is Itachi Uchiha."
Ryuko's eyes widened in surprise. "Is he a hero?"
Rumi smiled proudly. "He's going to be. Tomorrow is his hero license test."
Ryuko nodded, still processing the information. "Is he... 17 years old or something?"
Rumi burst out laughing, shaking her head. "No, no, he's 24."
Ryuko let out a sigh of relief, chuckling. "That's a relief."
The two old friends shared a moment of understanding, Ryuko's teasing and Rumi's relaxed demeanor reflecting the trust and camaraderie they'd built over the years.
每周推薦票狀態
-- 推薦票
榜單 
-- 推薦票