Buns of Steel, In Progress

Name: Shuu Shonbori
Other Participants: Drake - Using Kou
Level/Rank: Level 39/Genin
Rewards Desired: Kagayakasu (Bright Light), Embodied Shadow, Dainamikku Entorii (Dynamic Entry), and any LP I can scratch up.

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“One and two and three! Come on girls, work it, work it! Yeah!” The high pitched flamboyant voice echoed in Kyosuke’s head. A bottle of half-empty sake was within his grasp but his other ordeal was reaching for the remote that was even further. He had originally planned on watching this new work-out program for the ever attractive women in their skintight…er…tights. But alas, the man running the program was far more annoying than anyone he had ever had the displeasure of listening to. So here he was, his toes wiggling to grab the remote while his body contorted over his chair to reach the sake bottle sitting on a stool.

“Maaan…I wish Shuu-kun was here…” Kyosuke whined, untwisting his body to sit in his chair normally. That is, if one slouching halfway down the furniture would consider it normal sitting. Now Konoha’s Red Stripe was debating whether to actually get up or not. He was exhausted from another scouting mission, the assignments pouring in more frequently.

“Are you feeling weak and tired?” The irritating voice beckoned at the shinobi, the almond-haired man slowly looking up to see the perturbed image of the little man in short shorts.

“Yes…?” Kyosuke said to no one, his eyes glued to the television.

“Recovering from an injury or simply want to be stronger?” The workout trainer placed his fists on his hips, a chipper smile painted on his face which so happened to be far too close to the screen.

“Kinda…not really…” His excitement quickly died off after that last line. Although, it did remind Kyosuke of someone.

“Then come on down to my gym, where we’ll get you pumped up in less than two days!” The man then jumped into the air, confetti streaming off the sides as two half-naked body builder types started posing at either side. The image was startling, Kyosuke’s left eye twitching profusely, especially when the short shorts crept up a bit too much. But as soon as the energetic man mentioned it was free, an idea was brewing in his mind…

Quickly writing down the address, a pen and pad miraculously appearing in his hand, Kyosuke grinned. He knew just the right person…

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Was the Shonbori happy? Of course not…but it was something to do, what with the lack of missions. Kyosuke had signed Shuu up to go attend this gym. To build character, he said. To build up his strength, he said. To take pictures of all the women up close, he said. And while Shuu had thrown the camera at Kyosuke’s head, the shinobi had managed to slip it in his bag anyways. So there he was, his kimono draped over one shoulder while he had a sack of clothes and other items over his other.

The air was thick, the atmosphere of Fire Country’s weather assaulting his senses. Being pelted from the sun above warmed his skin while the smell of baking trees and their leaves flittered into his nose. It was all fine and dandy but according to Kyosuke’s instructions, Shuu would have to travel quite a ways away. It would take him most of the day and if he was quick – as quick as one hobbling with nothing but a cane to support his weakened legs – he could probably reach the gym before the sun went down. It was east of the village and he had to take several twisting trails. It was basically out in the middle of nowhere.

“Why am I even doing this? I could be with my Shina-chan right now…” Shuu grumbled, placing the cane down roughly as he continued to walk along. He had seen flyers for the gym out in the village but did he really have to do this when he was getting plenty of physical therapy back home? Even after all these years, Kyosuke could still talk the genin into doing anything – no matter how ridiculous it might seem.

Name: Aki Kotaio
Level/Rank: 7 (18/50 LP)/Genin
Desired Rewards: LP and

"I... I'd like to..to...to sign up for classes," a timid voice spoke, barely audible over the inspirational music playing over the loudspeakers.

"What? Who said that?" came the response from the muscular man who was lounging back in the chair behind the counter. His eyes shifted back and forth in search of the origin of the voice, followed by his head snapping around as he spun 180 degrees in his chair. "This isn't funny! Who said that?"

"I... I did?" the small boy asked more than stated, confused by the muscular receptionist's bewilderment.

The receptionist gasped as his body tensed, his super fitted shirt showing off every tightened muscle in almost extreme detail. The shirt left little to the imagination and it was a wonder it could be considered a shirt at all. He leaned forward to put his hands on the counter top as if he was preparing to bolt. A bead of sweat dripped down from his temple to chin. "Are... are you a ghost?"

Kotaio's jaw dropped as his eyebrow raised. A ghost? Why did he think he was a ghost? "No," the young Genin said, though he was unsure what response he would get.

"Then where are you?" the disorientated receptionist asked as his head continued to snap back and forth to locate where the voice was coming from.

"I'm down here!" Kotaio exclaimed, a little peeved as he realized exactly what was going on. The diminutive boy began to jump up and down and wave his hands above his head which elicited a shocked jump out of the muscular gentleman. The young boy halted his jumping to cross his arms angrily in front of him, his lips tightly curled into a frown to show his irritation.

The muscled receptionist took a few moments to gather his wits about him with a couple deep breaths. Once he did regain his composure, a deep and rumbling sound originating from deep within his stomach escaped up through his mouth. Was he laughing? Kotaio waited, tapping his foot in a vain attempt to show his impatience to the chuckling man. "Damn, I can't believe I got scared by a little shrimp," he said between gasps for air.

"What do you mean little shrimp!?" Kotaio shouted as he climbed up the counter top so he could shoot his angry glare at the man whose nametag simply said, Chuck. His tiny hands firmly gripped the front of the counter until his knuckles became white. "What kind of customer service is this that you insult those trying to join your stupid little gym?"

"Do not lean... er, climb on the counter please. And never," the receptionist stood up to his full height, towering over Kotaio by a good three feet, maybe more. His muscles expanded as he flexed, almost doubling his girth and making him appear even more intimidating to the small boy who quietly shrunk back down into himself like a turtle. "Ever, insult this fine establishment." A fire burned in Chuck's eyes fueled by the loyalty he had for this gym. Kotaio wasn't about to question it and just meekly nodded. "Good! Now about your... ahem... membership. I do not believe that this is a place for someone of your... stature."

"What do you mean?" Kotaio timidly asked, walking upon eggshells after that frightening show of power from Chuck.

"Seriously? You need to ask. I mean, c'mon, you're about the size of half of the weights we have here. My left thigh is bigger than you, and probably weighs more and could probably lift more than you on top of that. A pipsqueak like you would only get in the way of our more serious members. Plus, we don't need you getting hurt on our watch and having your parents come in and complain to us. Now, please, if you'll move on."

Kotaio couldn't help the pout that ballooned his bottom lip over his top lip. "I just wanted to become stronger," he sighed. Though it wasn't the complete truth, it wasn't a full blown lie either. Kotaio never relied much on his strength and opting to rely depend more upon his diminutive physique and speed to get him through his training It was still hard to be small in a tall man's world and he wanted to become stronger to level the playing field. Plus, he had a secret reason why he wanted to get into better shape.

Over the past few months, a biological change was beginning to make its presence known to the young boy, at least in one way. Suddenly, the young boy noticed that he couldn't stop staring at beautiful women or their beautiful pair of ... eyes either. Heat flushed his cheeks every time a beautiful woman passed by but he was never confident enough to say anything to them, even to the girls his own age that made him hot and bothered. None of them ever noticed him for who would? Chuck couldn't even see him at first so why would a beautiful woman waste their time with a tiny nobody? But maybe some sinewy muscles added on to his tiny frame could garner some attraction from the opposite sex.

Chuck let out a little whimper as he examined the pathetic boy in front of him, a tear forming at the corner of his eyes. "Damn you children and your puppy dog eyes! I'm such a softy for chubby kids looking to better themselves through self empowerment."

'Chubby?' Kotaio thought as he looked down at the lack of stomach between his ribs and hips. He pinched at the skin around the area for that was all that was there. Most people would've considered him emaciated and malnourished but this guy just called him chubby. Kotaio didn't even know what to make of it and just stood their with an insulted look on his face.

"That settles it!" Chuck leapt up from his chair and slammed a meaty palm down upon the counter, nearly breaking it in half. "I will sponsor you on your road to self improvement! With our help, you'll become as physically perfect as myself! All aboard the Chuck Exercise Train!" A picture popped inside of Kotaio's head of a three foot tall blob of muscle, flexing in front of a beach of bikini clad women. The result was not promising as they fled, screaming in terror. There was a such thing as too much muscle and Kotaio feared that Chuck would not stop until he broke that mold with him. It was too late though for that frightening fire was back in the receptionist's eyes. Nothing Kotaio could do now, short of changing his identity and fleeing the country, was going to slow down the Chuck Exercise Train.

Choo choo!