Garurumon!
18: Chapter 18: Akamaru Evolves!
Garurumon!
Chapter 18: Akamaru Evolves!
Garurumon!
“Oh, an honored guest.” Seeing Sarutobi Hiruzen walk through the door, Shendai smiled lightly.
Though he said that, he remained seated like a venerable elder, showing not the slightest hint of deference.
Sarutobi Hiruzen chuckled.
“I heard about your manga shop from Kakashi.
The idea that one can obtain rewards from a manga just by reading it… It truly opens one’s eyes.
I wanted to come and try it for myself.” As he spoke, Sarutobi Hiruzen carefully observed Shendai, trying to appear casual.
So this was the mysterious powerhouse who had used his spiritual energy to counterattack him from halfway across Konoha Village?
The owner of this incredible manga shop?
He looked like nothing more than an ordinary young man.
Of course, if anyone actually treated him like an ordinary person and offended him, they probably wouldn’t even know how they died.
Sarutobi Hiruzen even suspected that Shendai was a being on an entirely higher level than himself.
“The first read is five thousand ryo.
You may only read one book.
The manga are all on the shelf over there.” Shendai gestured toward the bookshelf.
“Alright.” Sarutobi Hiruzen paid five thousand ryo and walked over to the shelf to make his selection.
“Lord Hokage reads manga too?” Inuzuka Kiba glanced up and saw Sarutobi Hiruzen.
He was stunned for a moment.
“It’s the young lad from the Inuzuka clan.” Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled but said nothing more.
He looked over the five manga volumes on the shelf.
Akame ga Kill!, One Piece: East Blue Arc, Dragon Ball, Sailor Moon—Part 1… When his eyes landed on the fifth book, Velvet Kiss, his gaze could no longer move.
That cover… It looked incredibly enticing.
He really wanted to read it.
No!
I am the Hokage!
How could I possibly read that kind of manga?!
What about being Hokage?
The Hokage is still a man, isn’t he?
After a fierce internal debate between the two voices in his head, justice finally triumphed over temptation.
Sarutobi Hiruzen picked up Velvet Kiss and sat down to read.
It really is exciting!
The very first chapter is this intense!
Sarutobi Hiruzen flipped through the manga, utterly absorbed.
For a time, the only sounds within the manga shop were the rustle of pages turned by Inuzuka Kiba and Sarutobi Hiruzen.
An hour passed.
After finishing Digimon—Part 1, Inuzuka Kiba’s eyes were filled with tears.
He said in a choked voice, “Tai and Agumon had to separate just like that… I can’t stand it…” Taichi Yagami and the others had joined forces with their Digimon to defeat Apocalymon, who sought to destroy the Digital World.
The Digital World had returned to peace.
But after overcoming countless trials and dangers, they ultimately had to face the moment of parting.
He understood what it meant to grow up alongside a pet.
Just like Akamaru.
To him, Akamaru was no longer merely a pet, but a brother who had grown up with him, a comrade-in-arms who fought by his side.
If he were to be separated from Akamaru forever… the mere thought of that feeling was unbearable.
At that moment, Shendai’s system message refreshed.
[Customer Inuzuka Kiba has finished reading Digimon—Part 1 and obtained—”Garurumon Evolution Card”!] [‘Garurumon Evolution Card’—Allows the user to designate one canine creature to evolve into the Digimon Garurumon.
Garurumon is a Champion-level Beast Digimon covered in bluish-white fur.
Its fangs are sharp, its movements are agile, and its fur is as hard as metal.
It possesses high intelligence and is exceptionally loyal to its master.
Possesses skills such as: Fox Fire, Freezing Fang, Ice Wall… A Garurumon evolved via this card does not possess the ability to evolve further.] “This guy’s got decent luck.
He actually got exactly what he wanted most.” Shendai smiled.
Though a Garurumon evolved using this card would lack the ability to evolve further, Even in its base Garurumon form, it could definitely be considered a powerful ally.
Hum— A dazzling light descended into Inuzuka Kiba’s hand, coalescing into a black card.
Inuzuka Kiba looked at Shendai curiously.
“Boss, what kind of reward is this?” Shendai said, “A Garurumon Evolution Card.
It allows a canine to evolve into a Garurumon, granting it all the abilities of one.” “Really?!” Hearing this, Inuzuka Kiba’s eyes widened.
He could scarcely believe his luck.
He had originally come to this manga shop solely to make Akamaru stronger.
But after reading the manga, he felt that even if he’d come just for the story, it would have been worth it.
He had never read such a fantastic manga.
Even if he hadn’t gotten a good reward, it wouldn’t have mattered.
He never expected to actually receive a Garurumon Evolution Card.
His favorite Digimon while reading had been Garurumon.
Garurumon was the partner Digimon of the deuteragonist, Ishida Yamato.
It was loyal and courageous, with a cool appearance and powerful abilities.
It met nearly every single one of his ideals for a ninja dog partner.
Inuzuka Kiba looked at Akamaru and said eagerly, “Akamaru, you’re gonna become a Garurumon!
You’ll have the power of a Digimon!
Then we’ll go find Konohamaru and beat him up!” “Woof!
Woof!” Akamaru yipped excitedly, wagging his tail impatiently.
Inuzuka Kiba pointed the evolution card at Akamaru and shouted, “Transform!
Akamaru!” Akamaru waited, wagging his tail.
But nothing changed.
Inuzuka Kiba paused, then tried again.
“Akamaru, evolve!
Garurumon!” Akamaru continued to wait, tail wagging.
“I command thee in the name of God!
Evolve!” “This era needs you!
The time has come for you to evolve!” “Atima, Dolostromo, Hagibadais @#$%… Aoligi!” … After running through a gauntlet of nonsense incantations, Inuzuka Kiba looked at Shendai with a crestfallen expression.
“Boss, what’s going on?
Why isn’t it working?” Shendai rested his chin on his hand.
“You just need to place the evolution card onto Akamaru.” Inuzuka Kiba: (⊙_⊙) It’s that simple?
You don’t need some grand incantation for something this sacred?
Where’s the sense in that?
Inuzuka Kiba said, “Then why didn’t you say so sooner, boss?!” Shendai said, “You seemed like you were enjoying yourself quite a bit over there.” Inuzuka Kiba: (T^T) I’m tough.
I won’t cry… Shendai reminded him, “Garurumon is quite large.
Go outside to use the evolution card.” “Right.” Inuzuka Kiba took Akamaru out to the street and placed the evolution card onto him.
The evolution card instantly blazed with brilliant light, then dissolved into mysterious energy that flowed into Akamaru’s body.
A scorching power rampaged through Akamaru’s small frame like countless wild stallions, quickly spreading to every corner of his being.
Akamaru began to grow rapidly, visible to the naked eye.
Blue, mottled patterns began to appear across his body.
Finally, Akamaru transformed into a Garurumon standing nearly two stories tall.
His posture was proud, his gaze cold and severe.
A frightening, ferocious aura radiated from his entire being.
“To completely alter the evolution of a species…” A look of shock appeared on Sarutobi Hiruzen’s face.
He had begun paying attention the moment Inuzuka Kiba started using the evolution card.
He had witnessed Akamaru’s evolution from a small white puppy into the fearsome Garurumon with his own eyes.
This was evolution that completely transcended species.
Evolution, a concept that did not even exist for the species of this world.
It could no longer be described as mere magic.
This was a mighty power, akin to that of a god.
Only by witnessing it firsthand could one truly understand.
Just how unimaginable was this manga shop?
(End of Chapter)