After an evening spent on exchanging quips and taunts with her favorite person over her favorite food for dinner, Amaya thought the next morning was going to be rather simple.

She couldn't have been more wrong.

It was overcast with clouds, the air rather cool for the spring morning, and there wasn't very much movement in the city. In fact, Amaya almost thought it was a Sunday afternoon from how quiet everything was. The trip to school was just as quiet and boring, enough so where Amaya wondered if she might fall asleep on the way there.

It was only when Amaya sat down in her seat in the classroom that her stomach told her that she wasn't going to like today.

She didn't have to wait long to find out why, either.

'Good morning, everyone!' A chorus of Koro-sensei greeted the class first thing during first period, neither taking attendance or even giving a glance-over of the class. 'Today, I've tried making even more of me!' He announced with gusto.

Then all of a sudden, the group of 27 Koro-sensei multiplied in an instance to a total of what looked like 100 greatly flickering, unstable images of himself, all crammed in the small classroom in front of the blackboard.

'Don't you think that's too much!?' Maehara exclaimed from his seat, however his deadpanning remark was practically ignored.

Amaya stared with wide eyes as she tried to make sense of what was going on, but she was lost.

Along with everyone else - Even Karma looked a little perturbed by the sight.

There were many different outfits each Koro-sensei was wearing, however the most prominent ones were dressed in full Naruto outfits, some in Doraemon costumes, others in what she immediately recognized to be a Micky-Mouse, and to her horror, there was even one or two that were dressed in a pink dress with a blond wig.

'Now let's begin!' Every Koro-sensei announced, and immediately each student's desk was surrounded by four Koro-sensei.

Around Amaya's desk, there were four Koro-sensei wearing Algebra headbands instead of the Maths ones that others got, and much to her bemusement, each and every one of them were wearing the blonde wig and the pastel pink dress.

What was worse was that Koro-sensei was far more overbearing with the way in which he was teaching, too.

He spoke quickly, specifically, and seemed a little impatient when Amaya would hesitate before making an attempt at answering a question. It was a little disconcerting when she realized that this was across the board; The various ninja Koro-sensei around Okuda's desk were urging her to answer more questions, and the others around the room were much the same.

Everything was so loud that Amaya couldn't hear herself think.

And oddly enough Karma wasn't making any attempt at getting up to mischief - In actuality, he Koro-sensei Clones around Karma's desk were actually just begging him to answer another question, instead of just staring off into thin air.

'No, no! You're still not picking it up.' The four Koro-sensei Clones in dresses told Amaya half way into the lesson, the tiniest hint of bewilderment in his tone of voice. 'Why are none of the methods I'm suggesting actually working?'

Amaya bit the inside of her bottom lip as she struggled to keep her words in check.

All of the flickering from Koro-sensei's unstable clones was beginning to give her a headache, and there was a chemical smell in the room that was beginning to make her feel a little off, too.

Amaya thought she heard one of the girls in the class ask Koro-sensei something, but it blurred into the sea of Koro-sensei chattering and was impossible for her to distinguish one voice from the next.

Honestly, she wasn't interested in knowing what was said, either.

'Very well - Instead of trying to push a subject that isn't agreeing right at this second, we'll move onto the next!' The four Koro-sensei's surrounding Amaya's desk announced, and then all of a sudden their headbands changed.

The headbands now read 'Science', and the two Koro-sensei on the right side of Amaya's desk actually started wielding beakers and droppers full of chemicals.

Immediately Amaya's hair stood up on end and she slapped a hand over her nose as the pungent smell of ammonium chloride assaulted her sensitive sense of smell.

Though thankfully it didn't get any worse.

First Period went by with the four cross-dressing Koro-sensei clones cramming as much chemistry into her brain as they could, and Second period was spent in just the same way, though it was back to Maths for Amaya. She managed to keep her gaze trained exclusively on her notebook in order to avoid the painful flickering of those clones, and as soon as first period was over, Amaya was free from the chemicals being waved in her face as part of Koro-sensei's tutoring.

The bell chimed for the end of second period after what felt like a whole entire day worth of strenuous studying, and thankfully it appeared they were getting a momentary reprieve from non-stop cram-study.

At the sight of all of the clones vanishing, and a single, normal looking Koro-sensei collapsing onto the teachers chair at the front of the room, Amaya leaped at the opportunity to escape before the giant octopus recovered his energy at Mach 20 speeds.

Closing her notebook with one hand as she rose to her feet, Amaya quickly made her way for the door and disappeared through it while everyone else went to go check on the collapsed teacher. Koro-sensei was in the process of cooling himself with a paddle-fan as Amaya shut the door behind her and disappeared out the back of the building.

As soon as she had set foot outside, Amaya could feel the uncomfortable tension that had been building up all class beginning to dissipate as the cool, fresh air washed over her, and her headache began to slowly ease away, allowing her some relief.

With her head slowly clearing so she could think straight, Amaya ended up propping herself down on the ground beneath one of the windows overlooking the School-Yard at the back of the building.

She hoped more than anything else that Koro-sensei was too worn out to continue another two hours of teaching in excess like that, however she doubted she'd be so lucky.

In fact, Amaya was willing to bet as soon as between-class recess was over, the yellow creature would be raring to start that madness once again.

Amaya wasn't even the one doing all that sprinting and teaching, and she still felt exhausted.

Why was Koro-sensei so gung-ho about teaching them like that?

In all honesty, the one-on-one teaching he was doing yesterday was much better, and it didn't make her resort to gluing her gaze to her desk just so she didn't get dizzy.

But of course Koro-sensei hadn't had much luck when it came to teaching Amaya Maths.

Not that it was really all her fault - it wasn't like anyone could portray third year middle-school mathematics in pictures just so she could understand a bit better.

'You ran away, pretty quick.' Karma's voice suddenly spoke up from the door, surprising Amaya out of her thoughts immediately. 'Chickening out of more Maths, huh?'

Amaya turned her head to look at the smirking red-head with a small huff.

He had his hands buried in the pockets of his jacket as he made his way over towards her.

'... I can't really deny that.' Amaya gave in with a sigh as she leaned back against the wall of the building.

'Eh? That's no fun.' Karma drawled out as he came to a stop just next to her to stand against the wall. 'I can't mock you if you just admit it like that.'

'Sorry to ruin your fun.' Amaya retorted, however she didn't look up at him.

In fact, her eyes went around the door Karma had come out of as she heard some slithery kind of movements that matched Koro-sensei's walking movements.

'Huh?'

The two of them watched as their teacher made his way out of the classroom, his head hung ever so slightly and that purple colouring with the giant cross was across his face instead of his normal yellow face. What was more confusing was the fact that their classmates were beginning to come outside as well, an uncertain, almost uncomfortable air about them.

'The hell's going on?' Amaya wondered out loud, her brow furrowing as she watched everyone begin to walk to the bottom of the slope, while Koro-sensei continued onto the field itself.

'Dunno.' Karma responded thoughtfully, his head turning to watch Koro-sensei.

With a sigh, Amaya began to drag herself to her feet.

Something must have happened in the short five minutes since she'd dashed out of class.

What though?

The muttering of the students wasn't helping much to illuminate this little fact, and it was even more confusing for Amaya as Karasuma came out to stand at the back of the group of students, an uncertain look about his face.

'One good thing about the Class-E system is it's in-built remedial process.' Koro-sensei began as he came to a stop in the middle of the field, his voice loud enough to carry over to where Amaya and Karma were standing.

His voice was oddly serious and lacking in emotion, and it sent a chill down Amaya's spine.

'By scoring in the top 50 of 186 students on periodic exams and receiving permission from their former teacher to return, they can leave this outcast E class.' Koro-sensei continued, with his back still to the entire student body.

He then began to make his slow way towards the referee's platform on the field and began to push it aside for some reason Amaya could not comprehend as he continued, 'However, it's too difficult to meet these conditions given their poor grades in this inferior academic environment. Most E-class students, being made to feel redemption is far out of reach, face intense discrimination.'

Amaya had to refrain from scoffing at that - It was the same anywhere else, just not to the extremes this place pushed on everyone.

'What do you mean, hurry up?' Irina's irritated voice spoke up through the uncomfortable air that had taken ahold of everyone, causing Amaya to glance over.

Kataoka came jogging out of the building, and Irina was hot on her heels.

'Koro-sensei asked us to bring you.' Kataoka responded in a somewhat clipped tone, before she began to make her way to join the others at the bottom of the slope.

Koro-sensei spoke up immediately.

'Irina-sensei, let me ask you something as a professional assassin.' Koro-sensei began, still not looking up from the platform he had just pushed to the very edge of the field.

'What is all this?' Irina asked, thoroughly confused, as was everyone else.

'When you're on a job, do you have one single plan prepared?'

Irina gave a curious hum, before she straightened up and answered.

'No ... It's not often that my main plan goes as expected.' She began, crossing her arms under her enormous bust as most of the students listened. 'Making more detailed back-up plans in preparation for any contingencies is Assassination 101.'

Ah, so that's what this was about.

Amaya realized that the students might have questioned why Koro-sensei was trying so hard to teach a group of loser misfits, to utilize a term that Irina had used to describe their place in the Academy.

From a glance at Karma, it looked like he'd caught on to what was going on as well - He was just watching, no ounce of confusion or curiosity in his face, his gaze following Koro-sensei's strolling movements back to the middle of the field.

'And you, Karasuma-sensei.' Koro-sensei began as soon as Irina had finished her answer, causing the ever-serious man to furrow his brow in curiosity, and for the class to place their gaze upon him, next. 'When you teach knife-skills, is the first strike the only important one?'

'The first strike is of course the most important, but your next move matters, too.' Karasuma began in answer, his gaze trained exclusively upon Koro-sensei. 'Against a powerful foe, your first blow is likely to be dodged, so the precision with which you can land your second and third blows can decide the fight.'

Such a serious and specific answer.

But it made a lot of sense to Amaya, who already had a vague understanding of this concept with all the fights she got into.

Undoubtedly the answer bored Karma, who was already very familiar with nearly everything anyone could teach him.

There was an uncomfortable silence from the students, until Maehara actually broke it a few seconds later.

'Look, what are you getting at?' He asked, confusion evident in the tone of his voice.

Immediately, with the flapping of his robes, Koro-sensei began to spin in a circle right there in the middle of the field, faster and faster in a very rapid way.

And immediately, Amaya began to feel rather nauseas at the sight.

'As your teachers have said, having a trusty second step is what makes for a confident assassin.' Koro-sensei explained, his tone loud as he continued spinning. 'But what about you? "We've got assassination, and that's enough." you think, and down go your academic goals. You're just trying not to face the reason for your inferiority complex.'

As Koro-sensei spun so fast that dust began to fly everywhere and his entire form became a blur of colour, the force of his rotations caused wind to start whirling in a circle around him, causing everyone to shield their eyes from flying debris.

Amaya shut her eyes tight as she tried to brace herself, certain that if she watched Koro-sensei spin any more, she was going to lose her stomach. How the hell could he spin so freaking fast without getting nauseas himself?!

'What if I got away from this classroom? If another killer managed to do me in? Without the assassination you rely on, all you're left with is good ol' E-Class inferiority.' Koro-sensei continued as if there was no problem at all.

Even with her eyes closed, Amaya could hear the shrill slicing of air around her that said he was still picking up speed. It actually scared her to hear it and not see what was going on.

'A word of advice from me to you, as you walk that fine line: Those who can't wield a second blade aren't qualified to be an assassin!' Koro-sensei announced with great conviction in his voice.

And immediately the wind surged with enough force to not only cause grass and leaves to be shorn from their places, but for the students down on the field to let out startled screams as they were battered.

The force of the wind knocked Amaya's balance from her, and a startled yelp escaped her as she lost her footing.

'A-Amay?!' She heard someone gasp out.

And then something grabbed her by the wrist and dragged her back the other way.

It was a matter of maybe twenty, thirty seconds before the slicing of wind and plant matter itself had slowed to a sudden stop, all the debris falling to the ground and over the students as all fell silent.

It was as the sensations of sunlight began to filter down on everything that everyone seemed to open their eyes and look around them.

Amaya however kept hers shut as she struggled to get a hold of herself.

'The yard was very uneven and full of weeds.' Koro-sensei's voice spoke out through the awkward silence, still matter of fact and without that jovial tone he usually spoke with. 'I tidied it up.'

As the class let out surprised gasps, Amaya dared to open her eyes.

The field where Koro-sensei had been spinning in that nauseating manner was completely clear of all plants, and in its place was a perfectly even running expanse of flat dirt, with running lanes marked in white marking paint, and soccer goals were set up.

Amaya found herself staring at a perfectly laid out school yard.

'I am a super-creature capable of wiping out the Earth.' Koro-sensei continued from the very centre of the newly renovated grounds, his eyes glowing a haunting red as the sunlight from the clearing skies fell upon his back. 'Flattening out this area here is a piece of cake.'

An uncomfortable, understanding silence overcame everyone down on the field, as Amaya suddenly became very aware of the unexpected position she was in.

Karma had obviously noticed her get blown off her feet when the wind kicked up, because right now she was held upright by his right arm holding her around the shoulders so that she was leaning against him for support. He was rubbing the back of his neck with his free hand, his gaze fixed upon Koro-sensei with an unwavering stare.

She did not expect to find herself in this position, and any other time, she'd have erupted into a vivid blush.

'If you can't show me that trusty second blade, I'll know there's no assassin in this classroom worth taking me on, and I'll flatten this entire campus before I go.' Koro-sensei announced, dragging Amaya's shaky attention from her current position, and to the yellow creature in mention.

'A second blade?' Nagisa repeated uncertainly, concern evident in his tone of voice. 'When?'

'Tomorrow, of course.' Koro-sensei repeated, causing alarm to overcome most of his students.

Amaya felt her brow furrow as she managed to pull away from Karma, while the latter let out a sigh at what was taking place on the field.

'I want all of you in the top 50 after tomorrow's midterms.' Koro-sensei announced, immediately reverting to his jovial tone of voice, and the number 50 appeared written on his forehead in bright scarlet.

And in immediate response, all of the students on the pitch let out startled yells.

'I've already been developing your second blades.' Koro-sensei explained as he lifted his arm tentacles from his sides in a beckoning motion to all of his students. 'I don't use the doltish teaching methods they do at the main campus.'

He then pointed towards the class with one extended, fingered tentacle.

'Wield those blades with all confidence! Succeed in your mission and hold your head high, smiling, unashamed. You are proud assassins - and proud members of the E-Class!'

A sigh escaped Amaya at those words.

Considering that she was doing abysmally at Mathematics now, she very much doubted she'd be able to meet Koro-sensei's expectations.

Of course, the frustrating red-head that could do anything he put his mind do, would probably get in the top ten without even trying.

She found that along with the ebbing nausea from all of that spinning, there was foreboding beginning to take root as well.

Her only hope would be to maximize her other four subjects before tomorrow.

---=[Authors Note]=---

And here we are with Chapter 29 of Marionette xD Hope y'all enjoyed a chapter that's more or less a lot of actual episode / chapter rewriting than much else. I bet you all know what next chapter is going to be, from the ending of this chapter xD

Mwahahaha, I've actually got that chapter half-typed already, so look forward to it! Providing that my wattpad keeps on behaving after yesterday's mishaps, I should have it up in a day or two.

Anyways we have a Chapter Dedication this time around! This is for RaluIoni, one of my long-term readers, who has voted on almost every chapter. I thank you very much for reading and voting hun, and I hope you enjoyed the chapter :)

Now I have an actual serious question that I'd like an honest yes or no answer to :) Nothing bad or anything, so don't worry.

Should I keep titling the chapters with Romaji Japanese words like I have been doing to date? Or should I change them all to English Titles and stick to that?

Please comment your answer so I have an idea of what's preferred. If there's a sizable motion for English Titles over the Romaji that I'm doing now, then I will go through and change it all for you guys :)

Anyways, thanks again for reading, and here's today's translation note for the title of our chapter :)

Hakki - Translates as Exertion, which is written as 発揮 in Japanese.