Part 1
Tenma Household - Living Room
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Saki
I promise to rush over so that I can cheer you guys on if I have time after my meeting!
Tsukasa
Thanks, Saki!
But it's a very important meeting for work, no? You should be focusing all your attention on that.
But it's a very important meeting for work, no? You should be focusing all your attention on that.
Tsukasa
Oh, Saki, are you free right now?
I'd like for you to add some extra weight by pressing down on my back a little.
I'd like for you to add some extra weight by pressing down on my back a little.
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The next day
Kamiyama High School - Class 3-C
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Rui
Interesting. Shinonome's one thing, but Haruka Kiritani? You managed to put together quite a team for this event.
Tsukasa
Yes, and I can't thank her enough.
I put her in a difficult position, knowing that she's an idol.
I put her in a difficult position, knowing that she's an idol.
Rui
So, have you already decided who is going to be doing what? I'm particularly interested in the water spider obstacle.
Rui
Ah, Shinonome.
He seems like the right choice, with his core strength and sense of balance.
He seems like the right choice, with his core strength and sense of balance.
Rui
Still, it's interesting how they decided to go with such an old-fashioned interpretation of the “water spider” device.
Tsukasa
Hm? Old-fashioned? Didn't ninjas use those special shoes to walk across the water, just like the obstacle?
Rui
The common interpretation is that ninjas used “water spider” floats to move just like water striders, yes.
Rui
But one theory suggests that they didn't attach the floats to their feet at all.
Interesting, no?
Interesting, no?
Rui
On their bodies.
Either by wearing something like an inner tube, or by sitting on a plank of wood in the center.
Either by wearing something like an inner tube, or by sitting on a plank of wood in the center.
Rui
Yes, the theory I read spoke of propelling yourself using your feet, while only your upper body remained above the surface.
Rui
Originally, people claimed that it would've been physically impossible for the traditional water spider to provide enough buoyancy to cross the water while standing.
Rui
For example, when crossing a swamp, they could have been used to disperse your weight in order to keep your feet from sinking.
Tsukasa
I wasn't expecting to hear a theory that completely overturned my understanding of this subject! Again, I honestly had no idea!
Rui
Yes, there was a brief period when this theory was on everyone's minds, but it faded into the annals of history not long after, without much impact at all.
Rui
Perhaps it didn't find much purchase because, like you just said, Tsukasa... people didn't want their understanding of water spiders, or rather, their beliefs regarding ninjas to be shattered.
Rui
A ninja running across the water like a real water spider is much cooler than the theory, no?
Tsukasa
It may be physically impossible, but it's easy to think that perhaps ninjas could have still managed it.
Rui
Also, Miku and the others have been working very hard to become ninjas after you told them that you'd be competing in Shinobi Battle.
Rui
I'll actually be taking over some things that will allow them to experience being water spiders.
Rui
I have to order quite a lot of things, so even if I did put a rush on them, I probably won't finish making them until after Shinobi Battle.