Clang. Clang. Clang.
In a secluded training field, two figures clashed repeatedly.
Their speed was high enough that their forms blurred, metal ringing through the air with every exchange.
The girl wielded a tantō in one hand and a kunai in the other.
The boy fought barehanded, but both of his arms carried a dull metallic sheen.
Ken and Omika.
"Your close combat has improved quite a bit," Omika said, breathing lightly as she stepped back.
Ken grinned. "That's thanks to your support."
He tilted his head. "How about barbecue? My treat."
Omika raised an eyebrow.
Barbecue wasn't cheap.
But since he was offering—
Without replying, she turned and started walking.
Ken, already used to this, followed behind her, still grinning.
It had been a week since his defeat.
During that time, Ken had requested a short break from Minato. Since it was for the sake of improvement and better service to the village, Minato had agreed without hesitation.
What followed could only be described as relentless.
Whenever Ken and Omika met, they fought.
And Ken made sure they met again.
And again.
Their situation gradually began to resemble Gai and Kakashi—
with Ken playing the role of Gai.
They competed in every format imaginable.
Taijutsu only.Ninjutsu only.Mixed combat.Restricted techniques.
After several more defeats, he finally found his rhythm.
His Earth Skin had reached the point where he could coat his entire body.
He avoided doing so unless necessary. The chakra cost was still too high.
Even so, partial activation had become instinctive.
More importantly, his ability to chain techniques had improved dramatically. Combined with instant casting, the results were undeniable.
He began winning several matches, reclaiming his pride.
And even in battles where he couldn't secure victory, he made sure Omika never did more than force a draw.
But he didn't stop there.
Ken had learned nearly every Earth Release jutsu below B-rank.
It didn't increase his raw combat power.
But his understanding of Earth Release had reached a very high level.
And that was far more important.
The smell of grilled meat hung thick in the air.
Ken leaned back on the wooden bench, already halfway through his second plate. Grease stained his fingers, and he looked entirely too relaxed for someone who had been fighting nonstop all morning.
Omika watched him for a moment.
"At least maintain some degree of dignity," she said.
Ken shrugged. "Recovery is important."
"That's not recovery," she replied flatly. "That's gluttony."
He grinned and reached for another skewer. "I earned it."
She snorted quietly and picked up her own chopsticks.
For a while, neither of them spoke. The crackle of the grill and low chatter of other patrons filled the space between them.
Omika's POV
When they first fought, she had taken him seriously.
But only that far.
Just another talented shinobi.It wasn't as if the village lacked those.
The Uchiha clan, especially, was filled with talent.
When she first saw him use instant-cast techniques, she had been surprised—but nothing more.
Instant casting was extremely difficult, yes.
But with enough talent and persistence, it wasn't impossible.
The first fight had supported that belief.
He was powerful.
But rigid.
Predictable.
Then the rematches began.
And that assumption shattered.
He didn't just refine what he knew.
He devoured everything.
Each new Earth Release jutsu he learned reached instant cast in an absurdly short time.
Not weeks.
Not months.
Days.
Sometimes hours.
And it wasn't sloppy imitation.
His control kept improving.
His transitions grew smoother.
His timing sharper.
It was like watching someone dismantle an entire system—
and rebuild it inside his own body.
He grew at an astonishing speed.
She had never seen anything like it.
Monster.
That was the only word that fit.
"Why are you staring?" Ken asked, glancing up mid-bite.
Omika blinked and looked away. "Nothing."
"Liar."
She shot him a flat look. "Eat your food."
He chuckled, but didn't press.
Another silence followed.
This one felt different.
Lighter.
Somewhere along the way, the tension between them had faded.
They weren't just sparring partners anymore.
They argued.Teased.Complained about training.Shared meals.
At some point—
They had become friends.
Omika paused slightly at the thought.
…Her first one.
She wasn't sure when it had happened.
There hadn't been a moment.
Just repetition.
Training.Talking.Fighting.Eating.
Again and again.
Ken wiped his hands and leaned forward.
"We spar again tomorrow?"
She nodded without hesitation. "Of course."
He smiled.
Not sharp.
Not challenging.
Just genuine.
"Good."
Omika looked down at her plate, hiding the faint curve of her lips.
What was wrong with being a monster?Only monsters were worthy of becoming an Uchiha's friend.