093: Can I pet that Dwag!

The journey to the Land of Waves continued. 

However, the team now had an additional member: Agumon!

Natsuki led him along, a rope looped around his neck like a puppy on a leash. 

This Agumon, inexplicably evolved from a small lizard by Natsuki's chuuni outburst, was identical to the Agumon from Digimon, except for his inability to speak.

Currently, Agumon's large eyes held a hint of grievance at being led around like this. However, he knew Natsuki was his savior, the one who granted him immense power, freeing him from his fate as bottom-feeder, constantly threatened by wild boars, wolves, tigers, leopards and other predators in the forest.

"Um... Natsuki, uh, Boss Natsuki, Senior Natsuki... what exactly happened?

"How come you just held its head and yelled 'evolve'...

"...and then, bam, it completely transformed? It's totally illogical!"

Kiba, staring at the rather cool-looking Agumon, suddenly felt Akamaru was somewhat lacking. 

He couldn't help but pester Natsuki, desperate for a method to evolve Akamaru.

The others in the group also perked up their ears, eavesdropping intently.

Tazuna: If I could master this method of mutating animals and turning them into big pets, I could definitely drive away that despicable Gato and finish building the bridge.

Hinata: If I also had a unique creature as a pet, wouldn't I be a better match for Natsuki?

Kurenai: Excellent, Natsuki. When we get back, I'm going to have to "interrogate" you and get a few cool pets for myself. 

Imagine, a few guarding the front door, a few keeping watch at my bedroom door, and a dozen more to accompany me outside. 

Heh heh, surpassing Lady Tsunade as the strongest kunoichi is within my grasp.

"Because this little lizard, just like your Akamaru, possessed great potential. That's why it could evolve." Natsuki tugged the leash, making Agumon walk, stop, or even do somersaults on command. 

He understood human speech, the dinosaur's intelligence shockingly high.

Kiba was practically green with envy. "So, if I pet Akamaru's head, could he evolve too…?" Under Natsuki's 'are-you-an-idiot' gaze, Kiba's voice trailed off.

Right, he petted Akamaru all the time, and nothing like that ever happened.

"Don't tell me you actually believed evolving creatures was that easy?" Natsuki stated with a straight face, spouting utter nonsense. "If it were, the world would be full of powerful mutated creatures."

That makes sense. Everyone nodded in agreement.

"Then, Natsuki, how can I make Akamaru evolve?

"Please, you have to teach me! If I succeed, we'll be your most loyal followers!" Kiba pleaded, clasping his hands together.

That Agumon just shot out a fireball!

Good heavens, could it get any more ridiculous?

To become so powerful from a tiny lizard… if his Akamaru could also evolve... Heh heh… then wouldn't the ninja world be his playground? 

Being Natsuki's follower, second only to him, ruling over millions, didn't sound too bad either. Besides, Natsuki was incredibly strong.

Under Kiba's eager gaze, Natsuki held up a finger and began his fabrication: "First, you still gotta pet that dog. Maybe it'll just evolve like that.

"Second, creatures that evolve must possess unlimited potential. This alone prevents countless beings from mutating. Your Akamaru happens to have this potential, so you're already ahead of countless others. As for whether you can trigger it... that depends on you.

"Finally, and most importantly, you need eight badges...er, no, one of eight qualities. For example, Courage, Friendship, Love, Purity, and so on. When you can flawlessly convey these qualities to Akamaru, you can make him evolve.

"Remember, what Akamaru evolves into depends entirely on you. Don't rush it, or there might be serious consequences." Natsuki spoke eloquently.

Kiba's eyes shone brighter after hearing Natsuki's explanation. He automatically skipped the last part; the moment he heard possessing one of the eight qualities could trigger evolution, his gaze locked onto Akamaru.

He couldn't say much about the other qualities, but his friendship with Akamaru was rock solid!

"Right, Akamaru?" Kiba called out cheerfully, practically bouncing with anticipation. 

As Akamaru trotted over, whimpering happily, Kiba slammed a paw onto his head.

Whack!

"Evolve! Akamarumon!" Kiba shouted.

The sudden action left Akamaru utterly bewildered.

"Huh? No effect?

"No worries! Again!"

Whack!

"Akamarumon! Evolve!"

Akamaru's small body wobbled from the impact.

"Akamaru, believe in our friendship!

"One more time!"

Whack!!!

"Evolve! Akamaru!"

The force behind Kiba's pats intensified, leaving Akamaru dizzy and seeing stars.

Finally, Akamaru couldn't take it anymore!

"Woof!!!"

"Awooo!!!"

A howl echoed, making Kiba's eyes light up.

It changed! Akamaru's voice changed!

Was he evolving into a giant wolf?

However, the next moment, Akamaru leaped up and started showing showcasing his artistic skills on Kiba's face.

"Sigh, it seems their friendship needs further testing." Natsuki watched the ensuing dog on boy action, stroking his chin and shaking his head.

Tazuna and the others nodded. 

Even Akamaru, who had supposedly unlimited potential, struggled to evolve. It was even less likely for them, without any potential-filled animal companions to revolve something. 

Sigh, it seemes I still has rely on these powerful ninja to to complete the bridge.

As they walked, a large puddle appeared on the road ahead. 

It was quite conspicuous under the clear, sunny sky and the dry surroundings. However, distracted by Kiba and Akamaru's antics, everyone seemed to overlook it.

Akamaru, running in the lead, even stepped into the puddle without noticing. A Kiba with claw marks on his face followed close behind, determined to teach Akamaru a lesson.

Soon, everyone passed the puddle. 

Natsuki, leading Agumon, unknowingly fell behind the group. 

As Natsuki stepped over the small puddle, Agumon crouched beside the water, seemingly intrigued.

Just as Natsuki passed, a head with clear footprint marks suddenly emerged from the strangely murky water.

"Heh heh! The first one..." A sinister, murderous voice hissed.

Agumon who was jumping over the pubble after Natsuki was startled, faltered mid-jump, landing squarely with both feet on the strange ninja's face, effectively cutting off the rest of his sentence...

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