Digital Emperor (Naruto X Digimon)

It became evident early in the training session that Tesla struggled with physical tasks. His small body wasn't built for the rigorous routines Henry had originally planned, and the weight of the new armor only made it harder. Seeing this, Henry quickly adjusted the regimen, tailoring the exercises to suit Tesla's current capabilities. Every small achievement was met with encouragement and occasional treats—Tesla's favorite sweets became a powerful motivator.

The digivice played a critical role, providing insights into Tesla's emotional state. Without it, Henry admitted to himself, he might have pushed too hard or failed to recognize Tesla's limits. This feature was especially useful for tamers like Rika, who were less adept at reading emotions and expressing empathy.

Once the physical workout concluded, Henry gave Tesla a short rest. He used this time to talk with his partner, offering reassurance and praise to ensure Tesla didn't feel discouraged. It was an essential part of bonding, something Henry had learned from observing Naruto and the others. All of them had to balance challenging their partners without overburdening them—a tricky task that often required finishing their own supplementary training after their Digimon were asleep.

Next came sparring practice. Henry, however, struggled with this part. He had a natural aversion to hurting those close to him, and Tesla's inexperience made it even harder. The little Terriermon was not a natural fighter like Luna. His attacks were clumsy, predictable, and slow, especially with the added weight of the armor. Henry dodged with ease, occasionally landing light taps to guide Tesla's movements without causing harm.

Tesla's physical limitations were clear, but his mental acuity stood out. While his body lagged, his mind worked rapidly, absorbing the strategies and commands Henry gave him. Henry focused on teaching the basics: when to use the horn attack, how to deploy wind attacks effectively, and how to utilize his long ears for both offense and defense. Each technique was broken down into patterns and scenarios, allowing Tesla to practice them repeatedly.

As the spar progressed, Henry's vision for Tesla's future began to take shape. Tesla might not have been a natural brawler, but Henry intended to turn him into a versatile combatant. His plan involved equipping Tesla with an arsenal of tools: small bombs, poison canisters, and even electric guns designed to fit his tiny frame. Each piece of equipment would be adapted to suit Tesla's evolving combat style.

Henry also had the humanoid evolution card for Tesla, which he intended to use when the time was right. With it, he could further enhance Tesla's combat capabilities, transforming him into a walking armory. The planned evolution path of Gargomon, Rapidmon, and Mega-Gargomon was solid, but Henry aimed to customize each stage, ensuring Tesla would be a unique and indispensable member of the team.

Tesla listened to Henry's plans with wide-eyed awe. Though exhausted from the training, he felt a surge of excitement and pride. His master's vision for their future filled him with determination. By the end of the session, Tesla's earlier frustrations and fatigue were forgotten. He leaped into Henry's arms, his joy uncontainable.

"Henry is the best!" Tesla declared, nuzzling into his tamer's chest like a delighted child.

Henry held the little Terriermon with a warm smile, stroking his soft ears. "You did great today, Tesla. We're just getting started, but I know you'll go far."

The bond between the two had grown stronger through the day, and as they left the training room, Henry felt a renewed confidence in their journey together. Tesla might be small now, but Henry was certain he would become a force to be reckoned with—a blend of intelligence, charm, and raw power, wrapped in an adorable package.

In another part of the city, Takato woke with an excited yell that echoed through the cozy halls of his family villa. The previous night, he had wanted to stay up working on plans for his partner, but his parents, ever the voice of reason, had gently insisted he rest. Despite his protests, Takato eventually gave in, knowing deep down they were right.

Takato came from humble beginnings, a background that shaped his cheerful and hardworking nature. When he was younger, his family had lived in a small home that doubled as a bakery. Over the years, thanks to hard work and support from their growing network of friends, the family business flourished, expanding into several restaurants and bakeries scattered across the city.

Now, the Matsuda family resided in a modest yet charming villa with six rooms and a small, neatly kept lawn. Though they could afford more luxurious accommodations, Takato's parents preferred the simplicity of their dream home. It was a warm and welcoming place where every corner carried the scent of baked goods and love.

The household was lively, with Takato, his parents, his younger sister Airi, and a maid who helped out when his parents were busy. His upbringing instilled in him a deep appreciation for life, a refusal to compare himself to others, and an ability to find joy in the simplest of things. This attitude earned him a place among friends from wealthier backgrounds, where his grounded demeanor and infectious positivity stood out.

This morning, however, Takato's energy was especially high. He threw off the blanket and rolled to the bedside with a burst of motion, springing to his feet with a grin. His destination was clear: the small table where his digivice rested, a symbol of the partnership that filled his days with excitement and purpose.

"Good morning, Arthur! Are you ready?" Takato asked eagerly, his voice bright with anticipation.

A pair of crimson eyes gleamed from the corner of the room. Arthur, Takato's partner, was a Guilmon—a Rookie-level Digimon with ties to dragons and a lineage capable of evolving into the fearsome Dragon of Destruction. At this stage, however, Arthur was a charmingly mischievous creature. His red scales glistened in the morning light, and the black markings on his body gave him an air of rugged elegance.

Despite his outwardly harmless and almost adorable appearance, Guilmon was a species known for its fierce competitiveness and latent destructive tendencies. Arthur was no exception, though his bond with Takato softened his wilder instincts.

The previous day had been an eye-opener for Takato, as he began to understand Arthur's likes and dislikes. His new partner had quickly become his best friend, bonding over shared experiences and moments of joy. Arthur had a taste for the simple pleasures: bread from Takato's family bakery, meat, milk, and the thrill of fast rides with the wind in his face. He enjoyed fights and explosions, reveling in the excitement they brought. However, he had little patience for soft things like dolls or the sentimentality of sad and love songs. Arthur was a creature of action and fun, aligning perfectly with Takato's lively personality.

With these preferences in mind, Takato made some adjustments to Arthur's space. Instead of books, which Arthur showed no interest in, Takato provided picture books and anime. He set up a room for Arthur to run around, destroy things, and even fly safely. This space became Arthur's playground and training ground, a place where he could unleash his energy without worry. There was a comfortable sleeping area adorned with posters of Arthur's potential evolutions, including the noble Gallantmon, serving as both inspiration and motivation for the competitive young dragon.

This morning, Arthur had woken up slightly earlier and discovered a new game: rolling around the room. He found it hilarious, laughing each time he hit a wall. When Takato entered, Arthur proudly demonstrated his newfound "skill," rolling with exaggerated gusto until he thudded into the wall again. He stood up with a smug expression as if awaiting praise.

Takato chuckled, clapping in approval. "Very good! Arthur is smart. We'll play more games later, but remember, we have something else to do?"

Arthur scratched his chin with a claw, his gaze drifting upwards. "Go to the park!" he exclaimed with enthusiasm.

Takato laughed. Arthur's attention span was as short as a child's, often skipping over serious plans in favor of fun. Luckily, Arthur had a natural liking for training, or Takato would have been in for a challenge.

"Close, but not quite," Takato replied, his tone warm and encouraging. "We're going to train and fight today. You want to be stronger, right? Stronger than anyone else. Stronger than Gallantmon."

Arthur's eyes darted to the posters on the wall, his mind flooding with thoughts of epic battles. His playful demeanor shifted as his gaze sharpened with determination. "Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes! Arthur wants to fight!" he shouted excitedly.

"Then let's get started! But first—bath time."

Takato led Arthur to the bathroom, where the two splashed water on each other in a playful tussle. Arthur turned it into a game, but Takato managed to rein him in before too much of a mess was made. Once cleaned up, the duo dashed toward the front door, ready to take on the day.

Before they could escape, however, they were intercepted by Takato's mother, who stood in the doorway with her arms crossed and an amused expression.

"Boys, you're forgetting something," she said, her tone gentle yet firm.

Takato stopped in his tracks and grinned sheepishly. Arthur, mirroring his tamer, tilted his head in confusion. "What is it, Mom?" Takato asked.

His mother smiled, a twinkle in her eye, and gave both of them a playful karate chop on the head. "Breakfast, of course! You're not going anywhere on an empty stomach."

Realizing his excitement had once again made him skip the most important meal of the day, Takato laughed. "You're right, Mom! Sorry about that."

Arthur followed his tamer's lead, leaping forward to hug Takato's mother. "Sorry, Takato's mom!" he chirped.

Her laughter filled the room as she embraced them both. "You two are quite the pair. Now, come on, eat up so you have the energy to take on the world."

With that, the boys backtracked to the dining room, ready to fuel up for their training and adventures ahead.

Once breakfast was over, Takato and Arthur headed to the nearby Tamer gym, a familiar place for Takato. Unlike his wealthier friends who had personal training facilities, Takato relied on this gym for his independent training. He didn't mind, though—it was a place where he could interact with others and enjoy a sense of community.

When they arrived, Takato was greeted warmly by fellow Tamers, who congratulated him on bonding with Arthur. A Guilmon was a rare and powerful partner, and the potential for its final evolution as Gallantmon made it the envy of many. Takato humbly thanked them, always appreciating the camaraderie of his fellow Tamers. Arthur, initially shy in the presence of the crowd, slowly warmed up to the attention and began to enjoy the praise. If this kept up, Arthur might develop an outgoing personality, which matched Takato's cheerful nature perfectly.

The duo made their way to the running track. Takato led Arthur through some stretches, assisting him as needed since his dragon-like body had unique needs. Takato was meticulous, referring to the data he had received from their assistant to ensure Arthur developed the habit of flexibility, an essential trait for his team's Digimon.

With the warm-up complete, Takato's excitement reached its peak. He had spent the previous night unboxing and sorting through a pile of gifts from friends celebrating his new partnership. Though he had modest means compared to his friends, he wasn't one to let pride get in the way of accepting their generosity. In return, he resolved to give back when the opportunity arose.

"Arthur," Takato said, placing his hands on his partner's shoulders, his voice trembling with excitement.

Arthur tilted his head curiously, a grin spreading across his face as he mirrored Takato's infectious energy. "What is it, Takato?"

"I'm giving you your first gear—your armor and weapons!" Takato announced, his joy evident as he practically vibrated with enthusiasm.

Arthur's eyes widened, and his grin stretched even further. "Armor? Weapons? Yes! Let's do it!" The duo burst into laughter and impromptu dancing, their excitement filling the gym. After a few moments of playful antics, Takato got to work.

The armor Takato fitted onto Arthur was a sleek combination of white and red, carefully designed to balance protection and mobility. The torso and head were heavily reinforced, while the limbs were kept light for unrestricted movement. The helmet left Arthur's mouth exposed, allowing his fangs and fire breath to remain integral to his attack patterns. The tail featured a sharp, reinforced tip, and two horns jutted from the helmet for powerful tackle moves. Small boosters on the back added a burst of speed, setting Arthur up for fast and agile combat.

"How is it?" Takato asked, beaming as he stepped back to admire his handiwork.

Arthur wriggled and moved around, testing the gear. He caught sight of himself in the mirror and tilted his head. "It's... too stuffy. Can I take it off?" He clawed at the armor, trying to remove it.

Takato froze, almost losing his balance at the unexpected response. "Arthur, the armor is for your safety," he explained patiently. "You'll need it in battle to avoid getting hurt. Do you want to win or lose because the enemy managed to injure you?"

Arthur paused, looking conflicted. "I don't like how it feels," he admitted.

Takato crouched to meet his partner's eyes, his tone firm but gentle. "We'll only wear it during training for now, okay? Think of it as part of getting stronger. It's not just for protection—it'll help improve your physical stats too."

Arthur considered his words, his tail flicking in thought. Though he still looked reluctant, he nodded slowly. "Okay, only for training."

Relieved, Takato smiled and patted Arthur's shoulder. "That's my partner! Let's get started."

As Arthur began his training in the armor, Takato realized just how challenging being a Tamer could be. Convincing a partner to endure discomfort for the sake of growth was no easy task, but seeing Arthur push through gave him a sense of pride—and a glimpse of the bond they were building.