Read The Bunny Kid Who Wants to Become the Strongest :: Eleo The bunny kid who wants to become the strongest: part 2

Eleo sprinted forward, fists clenched. His tiny legs kicked up dust as he charged, letting out a war cry that sounded more excited than intimidating.

Kuma?

He yawned and scratched his belly.

The moment Eleo got close, he swung a wild punch straight at Kuma's chest.

Thud.

His fist connected.

With a soft boop noise.

Like he had just punched a pillow.

Eleo blinked. His ears twitched. He looked up.

Kuma just sat there. Unbothered. He blinked back at Eleo.

"...That was it?" Kuma asked, sounding a little disappointed.

Eleo stepped back, shaking his hand. "Owowow-dang, you're built like a brick wall!"

The crowd burst into laughter.

Kuma smirked and finally moved.

BAM.

His massive paw came down, aiming for Eleo's head.

"GAH-"

Eleo barely dodged, tumbling backward and rolling to his feet. His heart pounded.

Kuma had moved so fast for such a big guy.

Eleo gulped. "Alright, okay, so you're actually pretty strong-who knew?"

Abby facepalmed. "EVERYONE KNEW, ELEO!"

Kuma stood up slowly, dusting himself off.

"Well, boy, looks like you at least dodged that one," he said, cracking his knuckles. "Let's see if you can dodge the next."

Eleo's ears stood straight up.

"Oh, crap-"

WHOOSH.

Kuma vanished from his spot.

Eleo's eyes widened. "WHERE'D HE GO-?!"

BAM.

Kuma lightly chopped Eleo on top of the head.

"OWWWW!"

Eleo face-planted into the dirt.

The crowd howled with laughter.

Abby sighed, rubbing her temples. "This is painful to watch."

Eleo popped back up, clutching his head. "HEY, WHAT KIND OF TEACHER HITS THEIR STUDENT?!"

Kuma took another sip of his beer. "The kind that teaches lessons. Ready to learn?"

Eleo gritted his teeth.

He lunged again, this time swinging a barrage of punches.

Left. Right. Left. Right.

Every punch-dodged.

Kuma simply leaned left, then right, then back, then forward, sipping his beer without spilling a drop.

The crowd gasped.

"He's dodging without even trying!" someone whispered.

Eleo growled in frustration.

"STOP DODGING, OLD MAN! LET ME HIT YOU!!"

Kuma smirked. "Alright."

Eleo's ears twitched. "Huh?"

Before he could react-

WHAM.

Kuma backhanded Eleo across the clearing.

The bunny kid went flying, tumbling through the dirt until he crashed into a bush.

The crowd cheered and laughed.

Kuma stretched his arms. "Welp, that was fun."

Abby ran up and peeked into the bush. "Eleo, are you alive?"

Eleo popped out, twigs stuck in his ears. "Yep! Totally fine! Not even hurt!"

His legs wobbled.

Kuma walked over, standing over Eleo. "You done yet, boy?"

Eleo took a deep breath.

Then, despite everything-

He grinned.

"Not even close."

Kuma raised a brow. "Oh?"

Eleo wiped the dirt off his face, stomping his foot.

"You might be stronger, faster, and way better than me at everything..."

"...BUT..."

Eleo puffed out his chest.

"I REFUSE to stay weak!!"

The crowd went silent.

Kuma watched him for a long moment.

Then-

He laughed.

A deep, hearty laugh that rumbled like thunder.

He put a paw on Eleo's head, ruffling his ears.

"Good answer, boy."

Eleo blinked. "Huh?"

Kuma smirked. "You lost, but you ain't broken. That's good."

Eleo's eyes widened. "Wait... does that mean-?!"

Kuma took one last sip of his beer, then grinned.

"Alright, Eleo. I'll keep training you."

The crowd cheered.

Eleo pumped his fist into the air.

"YEAH!!!"

Abby sighed. "Well, at least he survived."

5 days: later Eleo lay sprawled on the ground, panting like a dog, sweat pouring off his fur. His ears twitched slightly as he tried to lift himself up, only to collapse face-first into the dirt.

Kuma, meanwhile, sat on a log nearby, completely relaxed, drinking beer from an oversized jug.

"Alright, boy," Kuma finally said.

Eleo peeked up. "Y-Yeah?" he wheezed.

Kuma took another sip. "I'm leaving soon."

Eleo shot up immediately. "W-WHAT?!"

Kuma gave a small sigh, stretching his arms. "Gotta handle something big-dangerous stuff. Can't stay here forever, kid."

Eleo's ears drooped, but he forced a smile. "Oh, uh... okay! Yeah! No big deal!"

Kuma's eyebrow twitched. He saw straight through it.

"Follow me," Kuma said, standing up.

Eleo blinked. "Huh? Where we goin'?"

Kuma didn't answer, just started walking. Curious but confused, Eleo scrambled after him.

They stopped in a small clearing, away from the main village. Kuma reached into his coat, pulling out something glowing.

It was an orb, dark blue, swirling with ink-like patterns inside.

Eleo's eyes lit up like fireworks.

"WHOA-WHAT IS THAT?!"

Kuma smirked. "This, boy, is a Soul Orb. We call it an S-Orb for short. Here, take it."

Eleo snatched it immediately and...

Licked it.

Kuma stared. The wind blew softly.

"..."

"...Boy, what the hell are you doing?"

Eleo wiped his tongue, gagging. "ACK-IT TASTES LIKE A SWEATY ROCK!"

Kuma palmed his face. "You're supposed to absorb it, you idiot."

Eleo blinked. "Oh."

He closed his eyes and concentrated. Slowly, the orb began to sink into his body, and for a brief moment, he felt warm. Powerful.

Then-

PAIN.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!"

Eleo dropped to the ground, rolling around like a fish out of water. His body felt like it was on FIRE.

Kuma took another sip of beer. "Oh yeah, forgot to mention-it hurts."

"YOU FORGOT TO MENTION THAT?!!" Eleo screamed, flailing.

Abby, who had just walked up, froze in horror. "What did you do to him?!"

Kuma shrugged. "Gave him an S-Orb."

Abby stomped over, pointing an accusatory finger. "You just gave him a legendary artifact like it was a snack?!"

Kuma nodded. "Yep."

"AND YOU DIDN'T WARN HIM?!"

"...Nope."

"ARE YOU EVEN A RESPONSIBLE ADULT?!"

Kuma sipped his beer. "Nope."

Eleo finally stopped twitching, panting heavily. His fur was ruffled, his ears crooked, and his face full of regret.

"I... I think I saw my ancestors..."

Kuma patted Eleo's head. "You'll be fine, kid. Might not be strong now, but that orb will be useful someday."

Eleo groaned. "D-Does it at least give me super strength?"

"Nope."

"Super speed?"

"Nope."

"Heat vision?!"

Kuma tilted his head. "Why would a bunny need heat vision?"

Eleo gasped. "I'M STILL WEAK?!"

Kuma grinned and stood up. "No, but now you've got potential."

Eleo blinked. "...What does that even mean?"

Kuma ignored him. "C'mon, let's all head to the docks."

A few minutes later, the three of them stood at the docks, watching as Kuma prepared to leave.

A massive sky ship with wings like a dragon floated above them, its sails billowing in the wind. The engines hummed softly, filling the air with a low rumble.

Kuma stood at the edge of the boarding ramp, his usual grin replaced by something softer.

Eleo's ears drooped. "You really gotta go?"

Kuma sighed, looking at his small student. "Yeah. But don't worry, kid. I'll be back someday."

Eleo forced a grin. "Heh, y-you better! 'Cause by then, I'm gonna be the strongest!"

Kuma chuckled. "That so?"

Eleo puffed his chest. "YUP! And next time, I won't lose!"

Kuma smirked. "Looking forward to it."

Abby smiled next to Eleo, but her eyes were a little sad. "Stay safe, Master Kuma."

Kuma ruffled her hair. "You too, kiddo. Watch over Eleo for me."

Abby sighed. "Ugh, that's a full-time job."

Kuma laughed and turned to board the ship. As he stepped up, Eleo waved wildly.

"BYE, KUMA!!"