It took years of study to perfect the language. Training under waterfalls, isolating myself from society to focus on my work, that sort of thing.

[BONDING THROUGH MORE DRY HUMOR. . .]

[also is it just Minato or is the cat giving Akira a very human-like flat look]

So far, the only practical use it's had is knowing this guy's favorite food.

[the cat suddenly meows in irritation as the deadpan expression on Akira's features breaks out into a grin, and he reaches out to gently scratch the creature's ears]