JUSENKYO'S CURSE: Pieces of a face
AWARENESS
( This is my continuation of the fic found on www.nabikiandranma.com It's been dormant for a long time but I was intrigued by the characters and their possibilities with emphasis on the elder Ranma. Kudos and apologies if ever, to the one who wrote it first. By the way, I'm not that well- versed with the Japanese terms for their various attacks so whenever I can, I'll be referring to them in their closest English equivalent AS I understand them.)
It had been a week since Ranma joined Ryoga in his campsite. The usual routine found both of them getting up, practicing, sparring, arguing, lunch, more practice and finally sleeping. This morning was different however as found Ryoga woke up to the sensation that someone nearby was focusing their chi. While it wasn't really unusual for him, what was unnerving was the amount of chi he sensed being used. Looking across the now extinguished campfire, Ryoga saw Ranma's vacant sleeping bag.
"He must've gotten up earlier to practice," Ryoga thought to himself.
True enough, Ranma was currently doing just that in a small clearing not far from where they were camped. Ryoga wasn't lost as he was tracking Ranma by chi this time. He settled into a crouching position from behind a bush to see how Ranma was practicing.
"It---it can't be. How did he achieve that level? He couldn't have done it overnight?!!" Ryoga thought to himself.
Ranma was currently executing one of his more complex katas but was infusing it with a consistent flow of chi this time. And, if Ryoga was sensing it correctly, a huge amount of chi. Ranma normally did not use his chi in that manner as he often infused it into his speed rather than in his strikes. But if his blurring limbs and lack of sweat were any indication, Ryoga knew that there was more than speed with what Ranma was doing right now. After a few more minutes of watching, Ryoga saw Ranma conclude his last kata, with a more then palpable aura around him.
"Ranma, you cad! How dare you learn something ahead of me!" shouted Ryoga as he emerged from the bushes.
"Don't get yourself too worked up, P-Chan, I mean, Ryoga. I'd just finished refining it. Wanna learn it?" Ranma replied.
Ryoga was about to mouth-off a few more insults when he stopped short. Ranma was offering to share with him a new chi technique freely? There had to be a catch, he thought to himself.
"What?!! You'll teach it to me? What's with you, Ranma? A week ago you apologize to me and now you're freely offering to teach me a new technique? I'm your enemy, if you've forgotten. What makes you think I won't use it against you after I've mastered it as well?" Ryoga asked.
"Let's just say I know you won't. You're too honorable for that. But here's a bet: if you can beat me right now with your own techniques, I'll leave you alone and Nerima as well. I take it you've just perfected your own variation of the Shi Shi Houkudan before I arrived. But if you lose, you'll swear to aid me in whatever manner I see fit. Do we have a deal?" proposed Ranma.
"You're on! He-he. Get ready to die, Ranma!!!" Ryoga declared as he rushed to attack Ranma all out.
Ranma sensed it was a feint however, since Ryoga wasn't exuding as much chi as he normally did in their last encounters. Ranma smirked as he confirmed that Ryoga had already learnt a bit by just watching him with his morning exercises. He had done so deliberately in order to get Ryoga's interest as he was sure Ryoga's competitive nature and pride wouldn't allow Ranma to be ahead of him in terms of martial arts skill. True enough, Ryoga was trying his best to emulate Ranma's consistent chi infusion with his moves and the results were amazing. Ryoga's moves were quicker, more precise and were more lethal if they ever connected with their target. Ryoga was in for a surprise however, for what he had just learned was just the tip of the iceberg as he would soon find out. His last flurry drove Ranma back a bit and he immediately followed it up with a vicious kick that would've taken Ranma's head off had it connected. Ranma dodged it easily of course but the same could not be said for a tree which was behind him as it got struck down by Ryoga's attack.
"Is that all, Ryoga?" Ranma teased.
"Oh yeah? Take this! Depression Wave revised: Inundation!" Ryoga shouted.
His attack was indeed a very formidable variant of his own Shi Shi Houkudan but instead of a rising pillar of chi which erupted in succeeding columns as it neared its target, this attack was similar to Ranma's own variation of the Hiryu Shoten Ha which was a horizontal attack. Ryoga was about to laugh in triumph when he saw a most shocking sight: Ranma simply held out his left hand in an open palm in front of himself as his attack sped towards Ranma. He found his attack blocked by what seemed to be a shield made of chi. Ryoga could only stare in disbelief as Ranma successfully countered his latest attack.
"That was nice, Ryoga. You really did your homework on that one. I knew you'd figure out a way to revise the Shi Shi Houkudan. And your own chi- enhancements were a nice touch too. I see you'll learn fast. My turn," Ranma simply stated as Ryoga braced himself.
Ranma launched into his own forms of attack, most of which Ryoga blocked but those that did find their target were devastating and even now, Ryoga winced in pain.
"I see your speed has improved, bro," Ranma teased as he dished out another flurry.
Ryoga did his best to avoid Ranma's strikes but to no avail as the pain from the initial attacks soon slowed him down and Ranma struck him open- palmed in the chest, sending him crashing into a nearby tree. Ryoga's breathing was ragged now and he found it hard to focus on Ranma who was currently standing in a relaxed manner a few feet away from him. It dawned on him that Ranma was yet to use his full Amaguriken-speed with his attacks. Ryoga saw the tracks his feet gouged when he slid backwards from Ranma's last attack. "His strike was THAT strong?!! Impossible!!" he thought to himself.
"Again I ask you, Ryoga: Do you concede and choose to aid me?" Ranma asked.
"Surrender? Never. Bring it on!" replied Ryoga as he struggled to stand up, all the while gathering as much of his depression for a last-ditch attack.
Ranma shook his head at Ryoga's reply though he expected something like it. He allowed Ryoga a few more seconds to gather his depression-chi then gave Ryoga the signal to attack.
"Okay, pig-boy. Give me your best shot," Ranma provoked.
Ryoga roared and then released his most powerful and deadliest of attacks though Ranma was surprised to see that Ryoga had made another variation to it.
"Perfect Shi Shi Houkudan, final form, Cannon!!!" Ryoga shouted as he launched it towards Ranma.
Ryoga was in for another shock: Ranma didn't erect a chi-shield in defense this time but was slightly glowing with power. Ranma then shifted his stance a bit then launched his own counterattack.
"Umi Ken Sen no Ryu. Katana!" Ranma simply stated without even shouting.
Ryoga could only watch helplessly as Ranma suddenly sprang forward towards the Shi Shi Houkudan blast. Before he connected though, Ranma's limbs seemed to blaze with chi and then Ranma proceeded to shred Ryoga's blast with what seemed to be blades made of chi losing none of his own forward motion. Ranma blurred from Ryoga's sight then reappeared right in front of the eternally-lost boy. Ryoga thought it was his last moments as he felt the "blades" whiz through the air towards him. A few seconds later, Ryoga thought he was dead and opened his eyes. He saw Ranma standing in front of him with the same cocky smirk on his face.
"What? I'm not dead yet? So you missed!" Ryoga triumphantly declared albeit, weakly as well.
Ranma pointed to something behind Ryoga and as he looked, Ryoga saw a most awesome sight: the tree and a few others like immediately behind it were slashed into pieces with only their stumps remaining. The tree immediately behind him was also oddly-shaped now, much like the form of a man crouching. Ryoga realized that it was his silhouette that the tree resembled now.
"You---you did that on purpose?" Ryoga asked.
Ranma only nodded.
"How? How in the world can you achieve something like that in just a few days, Ranma?" Ryoga asked.
"I've been trying to tell you since last night. I'm not exactly "Ranma" anymore," Ranma replied.
Ryoga took a long hard look at the person in front of him. True enough, there were slight differences with this "Ranma" than the one he was accustomed to dealing with. This Ranma was a bit taller, looked a year or more older and had no pigtail. There was also an air of maturity around him. Not too much but just enough to make a difference. Ryoga concluded that this Ranma's learning-curve must've increased greatly as well. How else could he have learned those new moves? This Ranma went on to explain how things happened the past few days and Ryoga could only nod in agreement.
"So it was you who kissed Nabiki, not Ranma, I mean the younger guy," Ryoga stated.
"She kissed me, not the other way around. But it's too complex to explain for now," Ranma added, albeit a bit sadly.
"Is that why she threw you out then?" Ryoga asked.
Ranma nodded in assent then went on with his explanations, concluding his tale with the events of last night.
"So, what do you need me for? I assume you'll want to collect on that debt I owe you now," Ryoga asked.
"Of course. But don't worry coz it ain't anything you and I will regret. In fact if it all pans out, we'll all end up on the winning team. So, are you with me?" Ranma asked.
Ryoga reluctantly agreed.
"Good. Do what you want for the next three days. In fact, train with what you've seen me do here. I know you'll come up with something. After that, pack up and I'll find you so try to stay in Japan at least. I'm going to see somebody important first," Ranma added.
"And who might that be?" Ryoga asked.
"Happosai," Ranma replied.
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Ranma went about hopping from roof to roof as he searched for the perverted grandmaster of the Anything Goes Martial Arts. He'd spent the good part of the day looking for the man and even looked in the usual places that Happosai frequented. He was about to give up when he stopped and tried to focus on Happosai's unique chi-signature instead. He had more or less perfected the technique last night though there were a few kinks to iron out. After half an hour of intense meditation and concentration, Ranma found his target in a building a few blocks from where he was right now.
"Must be assessing his latest haul," Ranma thought to himself.
With that in mind, he stood up and did a short tai-chi routine; one that would recharge him from the draining task of wide-area chi-sensing. Ranma found it quite funny how a year or two of difference between his age and the younger Ranma's actually translated into years, possibly a decade of skill-difference. Until the splitting happened, he recalled his last thoughts when 'Y-Ranma' (Y=younger: thus from hereon in, this older Ranma shall be referred to as "E-Ranma"; E=elder while the older Ranko shall have a similar designation i.e., E-Ranko and Y-Ranko), was trying to get through a stumbling block in his quest to improve his martial arts skill. Given his current mental state back then, Y-Ranma couldn't make heads or tails with the problem. And now, here was E-Ranma who in a few days, came up with three new techniques and even possessed more power. E-Ranma recalled a few scrolls containing diagrams in the Tendo Dojo which showed the process by which a practitioner of the art could recover at least a portion of energy lost in a sparring match or actual fight, so long as the time allowed it. Of course, a normal battle rarely had instances where one could recharge immediately hence the miniscule amount of energy regained. But when E-Ranma combined it with the techniques of chi-gathering of the Dragon Ascension Fist, he discovered that the amount of energy he could regain was a lot greater than the scrolls intended and true enough, he was back to form in just five minutes. The whole thing made him realize the huge extent of the Anything Goes School: his father DID come up with two very powerful techniques despite his stupidity. Soun Tendo on the other hand, mastered at least the initial form of Happosai's aura attack, thus the demon-head. So as he made his way to Happosai, E-Ranma thought of arguments in order to convince him of a plan he wanted to enact.
(Tendo Household)
She had just finished preparing dinner for the whole household and was now arranging the dining area in order to accommodate their full number. As things were, there were three more mouths to feed now with her being one of them. E-Ranko blew away a stray lock of hair as she set about putting the plates and chopsticks on the table. She had elected to help out Kasumi with the household chores as Kasumi was quite busy with everything and now Y- Ranko stuck to her like an eager child. E-Ranko was two years older physically than Y-Ranko.and like her male counterpart, was getting to be more mature everyday. She wasn't as sprightly as Y-Ranko but she was faster and a bit more powerful now. Her sparring sessions with Y-Ranko almost always ended in a stalemate before but after three days, she was taking Y- Ranko down. Y-Ranma noticed this and decided to forego his chauvinistic view about girls as far as E-Ranko was concerned at least and regularly sparred with her. This irritated Y-Ranko and Akane to no end and they practiced as much as they could in order to catch up. Y-Ranma noted however that despite Y-Ranko's extra hours spent practicing; she and Akane weren't making as much progress as he did when he was practicing. Y-Ranko's speed made up for it for now but she needed a bit more power in her attacks. Y- Ranma concluded that the difference stemmed from the fact that Y-Ranko was younger than they were in all aspects. But what did confuse them all was the fact that E-Ranma hadn't been home for more than a week now. They searched high and low for him but just as they thought they had found him, his chi-signature disappeared. They weren't aware that E-Ranma was now leaps ahead of them in chi-matters and he could mask or hide his own chi long enough to throw them off-track. E-Ranko could feel him better than the others but even she failed to find him.
So now, there was just the eight of them. Genma of course ranted about his son's 'unmanliness' and wailed over where he went wrong and this often caused him to end up in the most painful of positions as the three pounced on him each time.
Things did quiet down a bit since Y-Ranko was often held in check by Kasumi while E-Ranko's own disposition calmed down somewhat as she found herself taking Kasumi's place every so often. Housework was indeed quite calming and this E-Ranko found herself enjoying. Y-Ranma was the only one who went to school for now as they were yet to settle all the Ranma's predicament. It wasn't an argument of whether they could be reintegrated but what was more important was how to deal with them being permanent. Little did they know that E-Ranma was currently busy with coming up with a plan to solve just that.
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E-Ranma meanwhile, was currently hiding himself from the Tendos, Saotomes and his counterparts in a certain abandoned, old warehouse. He barely managed to hide his chi in time and he knew that E-Ranko almost got to him. Indeed, her training seemed to progress at a slightly faster rate than the two younger ones and E-Ranma concluded that this was also due to her body and mind immediately adapting to their physical age. He could usually lose them while they were three blocks away but she had gotten to within two this time. E-Ranma held on to his chi as he felt them still around and only relaxed when he was sure that they were far enough.
"That elder Ranko's getting better each day. I guess it figures; we're all Ranma deep down," E-Ranma sighed.
It only meant that he had to finish this 'mission' of his really soon else the others muddle it. Happosai proved to be a difficult prey to catch and he had to wait until the next day just to track the old lecher down. E- Ranma left nothing to chance this time and he made sure that Happosai would come to him now. He had relieved Happosai of his latest batch of women's underwear and left a note, saying where Happosai could find him. He waited outside Nerima, in an abandoned building that used to be a log-storage cabin in the foothills. True enough, E-Ranma felt Happosai's huge chi- signature as the old pervert made a beeline for him. After a few minutes, Happosai appeared over the hillock, fuming and angry.
"Where are you, Ranma?!! Come out so your old master can teach you a lesson. You dare to relieve me of my precious darlings?!! Ranma!!!" shouted Happosai.
His rants were silenced however, when a huge sack of underwear dropped on him from above, rendering him immobile.
"Aarrgghh!! Who's big idea is this anyway? Who dares to separate me from my lovelies?!!" Happosai grunted as he struggled to free himself from under the sack. His queries were answered when E-Ranma appeared.
"Ah, Ranma! Can you help out your master from this mess? And while you're at it, put on this set of lovelies for me!!! Sweeto!!!" exclaimed Happosai as he was suddenly able to jump free of the pile that was on top of him.
"Eh? Where'd you go, Ranma?" asked a startled Happosai as E-Ranma disappeared from where he stood. What surprised him was the chi, or rather, the lack of it. As far as Happosai could remember, Ranma's Chestnut-Fist speed was only slightly faster than Cologne's and Happosai knew that if Ranma were to try and go faster, he'd have to infuse his moves with his chi. How he achieved it this time was beyond Happosai.
"I don't know how you did that last stunt my boy, but you can't hide for long. Come out; come out, wherever you are!" Happosai jeered, and proceeded to laugh menacingly. His laughter was short-lived however, as an open-palm strike caught him flat in the face; sending him backwards with so much force that he knew he would hit the wall really hard. Happosai was no slacker though, and as he neared the wall, he twisted in mid-air so that his own sack would hit the wall first.
"I had no intention of hiding, ya old freak!" E-Ranma declared as he struck Happosai in the face.
"Really now; that was one of your father's forbidden-techniques, wasn't it?" Happosai asked as he slowly stood up from where he landed.
"Heh. You of all people should know the difference. It wasn't the Yami-ken- sen at all as you'd have to use your chi and fold it inwardly first. This was purely chi-masking.
"Of course, I knew that! But I have to admit you grown quite skillful since our last battle. I didn't expect you to master something like that in a few days. So, what do you want? Or do you just want to make an old man happy by changing and putting on these darlings?" Happosai inquired as he waved a set of really sleazy-looking women's undergarments. E-Ranma had to grumble at this; truly there was no stopping the old man's perversion.
"No, I did NOT come to change and put those on so better put them away before I tear them apart," Ranma stated.
"You wouldn't dare harm these darlings--! Eh?!!!" was all that Happosai could say as he felt the bra and thongs disappear from his grasp, only to find them dangling from Ranma's fingers which seemed like they were glowing. Happosai was flabbergasted at what he saw as he knew what that glow around E-Ranma's hand was: Neko-claws or something similar to it. The effect on the lacy items would be the same though so Happosai knew that E- Ranma was serious.
"Okay, I believe you. So what DO you want?" Happosai asked.
"Old man, I mean, Sensei: I invoke the final test of the Anything Goes School of Martial Arts," E-Ranma uttered and waited for the old grandmaster's reply.
Happosai was taken aback by E-Ranma's request. It was highly unusual since this would be the first time that a student of his was asking for it. He himself did not have any master to challenge but as with all schools of martial arts, there was a system to be followed when it came to ascension in rank.
"I --- don't know what to say, Ranma. Are you sure you want to do this? You haven't even fulfilled the union of the two houses of the art yet. Your father may be the more skillful of my two students but the Tendo branch does have its own forms which, though unpracticed, are a match for what your father knows. I can only receive a worthy challenge from one who has mastered both forms," Happosai replied.
"I am aware of that and I have been able to learn the important forms of the Tendo branch. Most of the preliminary forms are identical to what I've learned from my father so I focused on two main aspects of that branch," E- Ranma replied.
Happosai was surprised further since E-Ranma was correct. Both schools did share the basic forms so a student of one school could easily shift to the other so long as it was still the basic forms. As soon as one got higher though, the said student would have to stay with the branch exclusively and learn THAT school's art to the fullest. Only masters of each school were allowed to learn the other school's forms and even so, they could only do so after passing a rigorous test by the grandmaster. E-Ranma also amazed him by stating that he had learned two of the Tendo branch's higher forms. Genma was able to come up with two powerful techniques so as a balance, E- Ranma needed only the same number of styles from the Tendo school.
"Really now? And what two forms from the Tendo school did you learn, Ranma?" Happosai asked.
E-Ranma grinned then said in reply: "Why don't we have a match so you can find out for yourself?"
Happosai was miffed at this and commenced to attack. Their usual exchange took place and Happosai had to admit, E-Ranma was a lot better now. As proof, attacks that usually pierced E-Ranma's defenses were parried or dodged this time and Happosai also found himself more and more on the defensive as their battle lengthened. But he had to know which of the Tendo forms E-Ranma learned so he threw an unusually big Happodaikirin bomb at E- Ranma. When the smoke cleared, he saw it: a glowing shield of chi emanating from E-Ranma's outstretched fist.
"The Impenetrable Fist. Very good, Ranma. Now show me the other one," Happosai dared.
E-Ranma dissipated his shield then shifted his position a bit. Happosai was curious as to why E-Ranma made no attempt to attack him but his waiting was immediately rewarded when he saw E-Ranma's second attack.
"Aura Blast!" E-Ranma shouted. His aura flared into life as he launched his attack towards Happosai who was stunned beyond words at what he saw. The Tendo Aura Blast was one of the most powerful of attacks that Happosai created and he was actually teaching Soun the basics of that attack before they locked him up in that cave. Soun was only able to flare his aura but not launch it. What was amazing for Happosai was the form that E-Ranma's aura took as he flared it: a dragon's head. Happosai's own version had his face in the outline of the chi and Soun's actually had the potential to be a stronger form as it was a demon-form of Soun's own face. E-Ranma's attack was also slightly different as instead of the 'chi-head' flying towards its target, E-Ranma's dragon head gave the impression of blowing fire from its mouth. Happosai had to launch his own aura blast just to counter E-Ranma's attack, though he had to dodge the last vestiges of E-Ranma's attack as it actually overpowered his own aura-blast. As soon as their attacks fizzled out, Happosai gave E-Ranma an inquiring look before sitting down and smoking his pipe. E-Ranma on the other hand saw that Happosai had no further intention to carry on with their battle so he calmed down as well. A few silent minutes passed by before Happosai spoke.
"Amazing. There's no doubt that you've indeed mastered those two arts from the Tendo school. I am curious as to how you were able to do so since Soun himself doesn't know how to do these in the first place," he asked.
E-Ranma replied by dropping a scroll in front of Happosai. The grandmaster of Anything Goes recognized it as the Tendo Ryu scroll which he gave to Soun ten years ago.
"I see. He gave this to you then?" Happosai asked.
"Yes. He said I had to learn it since I would be taking over his dojo once Akane and I got married," Ranma replied.
Therein lay the loop-hole by which E-Ranma was able to learn the Tendo arts without having to fight Soun Tendo for it or marry Akane. Happosai could only shake his head at the utter stupidity of both his students.
"Very well then: you have proven yourself worthy by passing the final test, Ranma. For all intents and purposes, your skill is equal to mine and you can be declared Grandmaster now. Isn't that what you wanted?" Happosai asked.
"Yes, but I would want you to declare me as A grandmaster, not THE grandmaster, sensei," Ranma replied.
"Eh? Just a mere grandmaster? Why?" Happosai asked.
"You're not dead yet, sensei. Until that time comes, you are still the grandmaster of Anything Goes," Ranma replied.
Happosai was surprised even more by E-Ranma's last statement. There and then, he knew that E-Ranma was indeed worthy to carry on the school of martial arts that he founded.
"Very well, Ranma. Come," Happosai signaled.
E-Ranma approached and knelt on one knee as Happosai prepared his declaration.
"Ranma Saotome, by virtue of a stalemate in battle with me, the grandmaster of the Anything Goes School of Martial Arts, you have proven yourself as my equal and thus deserve to be called grandmaster as well. However, due to your own request, the title of full-grandmaster shall not be granted yet until such time that you choose to be called such," Happosai declared.
E-Ranma was about to rise when Happosai continued.
"But grandmaster you shall be called. And upon my death, whether I have declared your full-grandmaster status or not, you will be deemed full- grandmaster of the Anything Goes School of Martial Arts," Happosai added.
"Are you done, sensei"?" E-Ranma asked.
"One more thing: Normally, I would've taken you with me on a special training trip in order to show you higher forms of the various martial arts that I've incorporated into Anything Goes but since I may not last longer than I would wish, I will have to use a quicker method of training," Happosai explained.
"And how will you do that, sensei?" E-Ranma asked.
E-Ranma was about to say something more when he saw Happosai flare up his aura again but this time, it wasn't for an attack. The chi wasn't even in the shape of Happosai's face anymore but a glowing orb. It hovered in mid- air for a while then shot straight into E-Ranma who was caught completely by surprise. In that instant, all of Happosai's knowledge and experience with martial arts was 'downloaded' into E-Ranma and when it was finished, E- Ranma was speechless. Everything that Happosai went through and all the training he received was instantly learned and every experience was felt and in the end, E-Ranma fell to his knees. Happosai let him digest everything before speaking up.
"I see you've fully absorbed everything I transferred to you, Ranma. That's good," Happosai noted.
"Why didja have to do it that way, sensei?" E-Ranma asked.
"Sort through my experiences and you'll know why," Happosai replied.
E-Ranma did so and after he few seconds, he found out.
In his quest for betterment of his martial arts, Happosai during his younger days stumbled upon a man who turned out to be a former monk. The man was well-versed in a higher form of tai-chi which he mixed with kenpo. It was from this man where Happosai confirmed that Kenpo karate was the most adaptable to almost all non-armed fighting styles and thus proved to be the best basic form. He challenged the man to a friendly match, stating that he was also a martial artist and wished to know his own level. The man agreed and their match began. Their skill was about equal but the man's power level and speed was phenomenal. Happosai found out that this was due to the man's immense chi-level with which he infused his moves. He begged the man to take him as a pupil and after a few days of begging, the man agreed. Happosai was a very quick learner but the man cautioned him not to begin practicing the higher forms immediately even after Happosai had mastered the basic and intermediate forms. But in his impatience, Happosai trained himself with the higher forms albeit, secretly. He had already finished his intermediate training and was actually demonstrating to the monk all that he had learmed. Happosai wanted to surprise his master by showing him that he already knew the higher forms and began altering his kata in order to draw in more chi. The man warned him to cease but Happosai didn't listen and pushed through with his routine. After sensing he was ready, Happosai decided to launch his attack on a boulder beside him. He planned to demolish the boulder by a chi-infused punch and was actually successful in doing so but after he was done, Happosai felt all his strength drain from him. In truth, he was actually losing his life essence, his chi. He woke up and was greeted by the sight of his master who told him that he had been sleeping for two days. His master scolded him for attempting the move though he had to give praise for Happosai's aptitude. He showed Happosai the next page of the scroll where it stated that anyone attempting to learn the style should also learn the recovery style as well before attempting to infuse any attack. Happosai's master informed him sadly that Happosai could no longer recharge his chi ordinarily and had to find other sources of chi. He added that Happosai would have to recharge himself every other week since there was a permanent 'hole' in his chi- reserves now and he was slowly losing his life essence. Happosai was shocked but he accepted his fate as it was his own fault. They parted ways after a week and eventually, Happosai found that women's underwear was the most effective chi-source for him as he could tap into his perversion quite readily as it was his nature. Yet E-Ranma realized that Happosai wasn't as perverted as everyone thought. What he did, he did so in order to save his life. Happosai was actually slowly losing his chi everyday and it was only through the sheer number of lingerie that he was able to stem this loss even if temporarily: thus, the reason for the immediate transference of knowledge and skill to E-Ranma.
"I didn't know you were slowly dying, sensei," E-Ranma uttered.
"Heh. It doesn't matter now. At least when I'm gone, I know there'll be one to carry on for me," he stated.
"I give you the same advice as my master then gave me: don't rush it else you'll suffer the consequences. I feel though that it's not that necessary anymore since you shown me that you've already increased your chi without harm," Happosai noted.
"Thank you, sensei," said E-Ranma.
As he rose from where he knelt, E-Ranma noted that Happosai wasn't moving from where he sat.
"Are you alright, sensei?" E-Ranma inquired.
"I will be in a while. I'll just inspect my lovelies and then I'll be back to form in no time!" Happosai replied.
As much as E-Ranma wanted to believe him, he couldn't. He noted that their fight may have taxed Happosai too much. E-Ranma decided to help out for one last time. He walked over to get the set of lingerie he had gotten from Happosai earlier.
"I'll only do this once so better make sure you don't forget. If you try to make me do it again, I'll beat the living daylights out of you," E-Ranma declared.
"Eh? What do you mean, Ranmaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!" was all that Happosai could say as E-Ranma doused himself with cold water and was wearing the bra and thongs. Happosai couldn't enjoy the sight as much as he wanted as E-Ranma suddenly disappeared from view and reappeared as a man. It did the job however, and Happosai was rejuvenated.
"Thank you, Ranma. I know you hated doing that but you did so to save me. I am honored," said a thankful Happosai.
"So what are you going to do, now that you're a grandmaster?" Happosai inquired.
"I still have a few things to take care of but I'll be back to deal with them. I would appreciate it if you didn't tell the others about what happened here and carry on normally, sensei." E-Ranma replied. "I don't understand but I will respect your request. Where are you off to then?" Happosai inquired.
"To Jusenkyo, to cure my curse," E-Ranma replied.
AWARENESS
( This is my continuation of the fic found on www.nabikiandranma.com It's been dormant for a long time but I was intrigued by the characters and their possibilities with emphasis on the elder Ranma. Kudos and apologies if ever, to the one who wrote it first. By the way, I'm not that well- versed with the Japanese terms for their various attacks so whenever I can, I'll be referring to them in their closest English equivalent AS I understand them.)
It had been a week since Ranma joined Ryoga in his campsite. The usual routine found both of them getting up, practicing, sparring, arguing, lunch, more practice and finally sleeping. This morning was different however as found Ryoga woke up to the sensation that someone nearby was focusing their chi. While it wasn't really unusual for him, what was unnerving was the amount of chi he sensed being used. Looking across the now extinguished campfire, Ryoga saw Ranma's vacant sleeping bag.
"He must've gotten up earlier to practice," Ryoga thought to himself.
True enough, Ranma was currently doing just that in a small clearing not far from where they were camped. Ryoga wasn't lost as he was tracking Ranma by chi this time. He settled into a crouching position from behind a bush to see how Ranma was practicing.
"It---it can't be. How did he achieve that level? He couldn't have done it overnight?!!" Ryoga thought to himself.
Ranma was currently executing one of his more complex katas but was infusing it with a consistent flow of chi this time. And, if Ryoga was sensing it correctly, a huge amount of chi. Ranma normally did not use his chi in that manner as he often infused it into his speed rather than in his strikes. But if his blurring limbs and lack of sweat were any indication, Ryoga knew that there was more than speed with what Ranma was doing right now. After a few more minutes of watching, Ryoga saw Ranma conclude his last kata, with a more then palpable aura around him.
"Ranma, you cad! How dare you learn something ahead of me!" shouted Ryoga as he emerged from the bushes.
"Don't get yourself too worked up, P-Chan, I mean, Ryoga. I'd just finished refining it. Wanna learn it?" Ranma replied.
Ryoga was about to mouth-off a few more insults when he stopped short. Ranma was offering to share with him a new chi technique freely? There had to be a catch, he thought to himself.
"What?!! You'll teach it to me? What's with you, Ranma? A week ago you apologize to me and now you're freely offering to teach me a new technique? I'm your enemy, if you've forgotten. What makes you think I won't use it against you after I've mastered it as well?" Ryoga asked.
"Let's just say I know you won't. You're too honorable for that. But here's a bet: if you can beat me right now with your own techniques, I'll leave you alone and Nerima as well. I take it you've just perfected your own variation of the Shi Shi Houkudan before I arrived. But if you lose, you'll swear to aid me in whatever manner I see fit. Do we have a deal?" proposed Ranma.
"You're on! He-he. Get ready to die, Ranma!!!" Ryoga declared as he rushed to attack Ranma all out.
Ranma sensed it was a feint however, since Ryoga wasn't exuding as much chi as he normally did in their last encounters. Ranma smirked as he confirmed that Ryoga had already learnt a bit by just watching him with his morning exercises. He had done so deliberately in order to get Ryoga's interest as he was sure Ryoga's competitive nature and pride wouldn't allow Ranma to be ahead of him in terms of martial arts skill. True enough, Ryoga was trying his best to emulate Ranma's consistent chi infusion with his moves and the results were amazing. Ryoga's moves were quicker, more precise and were more lethal if they ever connected with their target. Ryoga was in for a surprise however, for what he had just learned was just the tip of the iceberg as he would soon find out. His last flurry drove Ranma back a bit and he immediately followed it up with a vicious kick that would've taken Ranma's head off had it connected. Ranma dodged it easily of course but the same could not be said for a tree which was behind him as it got struck down by Ryoga's attack.
"Is that all, Ryoga?" Ranma teased.
"Oh yeah? Take this! Depression Wave revised: Inundation!" Ryoga shouted.
His attack was indeed a very formidable variant of his own Shi Shi Houkudan but instead of a rising pillar of chi which erupted in succeeding columns as it neared its target, this attack was similar to Ranma's own variation of the Hiryu Shoten Ha which was a horizontal attack. Ryoga was about to laugh in triumph when he saw a most shocking sight: Ranma simply held out his left hand in an open palm in front of himself as his attack sped towards Ranma. He found his attack blocked by what seemed to be a shield made of chi. Ryoga could only stare in disbelief as Ranma successfully countered his latest attack.
"That was nice, Ryoga. You really did your homework on that one. I knew you'd figure out a way to revise the Shi Shi Houkudan. And your own chi- enhancements were a nice touch too. I see you'll learn fast. My turn," Ranma simply stated as Ryoga braced himself.
Ranma launched into his own forms of attack, most of which Ryoga blocked but those that did find their target were devastating and even now, Ryoga winced in pain.
"I see your speed has improved, bro," Ranma teased as he dished out another flurry.
Ryoga did his best to avoid Ranma's strikes but to no avail as the pain from the initial attacks soon slowed him down and Ranma struck him open- palmed in the chest, sending him crashing into a nearby tree. Ryoga's breathing was ragged now and he found it hard to focus on Ranma who was currently standing in a relaxed manner a few feet away from him. It dawned on him that Ranma was yet to use his full Amaguriken-speed with his attacks. Ryoga saw the tracks his feet gouged when he slid backwards from Ranma's last attack. "His strike was THAT strong?!! Impossible!!" he thought to himself.
"Again I ask you, Ryoga: Do you concede and choose to aid me?" Ranma asked.
"Surrender? Never. Bring it on!" replied Ryoga as he struggled to stand up, all the while gathering as much of his depression for a last-ditch attack.
Ranma shook his head at Ryoga's reply though he expected something like it. He allowed Ryoga a few more seconds to gather his depression-chi then gave Ryoga the signal to attack.
"Okay, pig-boy. Give me your best shot," Ranma provoked.
Ryoga roared and then released his most powerful and deadliest of attacks though Ranma was surprised to see that Ryoga had made another variation to it.
"Perfect Shi Shi Houkudan, final form, Cannon!!!" Ryoga shouted as he launched it towards Ranma.
Ryoga was in for another shock: Ranma didn't erect a chi-shield in defense this time but was slightly glowing with power. Ranma then shifted his stance a bit then launched his own counterattack.
"Umi Ken Sen no Ryu. Katana!" Ranma simply stated without even shouting.
Ryoga could only watch helplessly as Ranma suddenly sprang forward towards the Shi Shi Houkudan blast. Before he connected though, Ranma's limbs seemed to blaze with chi and then Ranma proceeded to shred Ryoga's blast with what seemed to be blades made of chi losing none of his own forward motion. Ranma blurred from Ryoga's sight then reappeared right in front of the eternally-lost boy. Ryoga thought it was his last moments as he felt the "blades" whiz through the air towards him. A few seconds later, Ryoga thought he was dead and opened his eyes. He saw Ranma standing in front of him with the same cocky smirk on his face.
"What? I'm not dead yet? So you missed!" Ryoga triumphantly declared albeit, weakly as well.
Ranma pointed to something behind Ryoga and as he looked, Ryoga saw a most awesome sight: the tree and a few others like immediately behind it were slashed into pieces with only their stumps remaining. The tree immediately behind him was also oddly-shaped now, much like the form of a man crouching. Ryoga realized that it was his silhouette that the tree resembled now.
"You---you did that on purpose?" Ryoga asked.
Ranma only nodded.
"How? How in the world can you achieve something like that in just a few days, Ranma?" Ryoga asked.
"I've been trying to tell you since last night. I'm not exactly "Ranma" anymore," Ranma replied.
Ryoga took a long hard look at the person in front of him. True enough, there were slight differences with this "Ranma" than the one he was accustomed to dealing with. This Ranma was a bit taller, looked a year or more older and had no pigtail. There was also an air of maturity around him. Not too much but just enough to make a difference. Ryoga concluded that this Ranma's learning-curve must've increased greatly as well. How else could he have learned those new moves? This Ranma went on to explain how things happened the past few days and Ryoga could only nod in agreement.
"So it was you who kissed Nabiki, not Ranma, I mean the younger guy," Ryoga stated.
"She kissed me, not the other way around. But it's too complex to explain for now," Ranma added, albeit a bit sadly.
"Is that why she threw you out then?" Ryoga asked.
Ranma nodded in assent then went on with his explanations, concluding his tale with the events of last night.
"So, what do you need me for? I assume you'll want to collect on that debt I owe you now," Ryoga asked.
"Of course. But don't worry coz it ain't anything you and I will regret. In fact if it all pans out, we'll all end up on the winning team. So, are you with me?" Ranma asked.
Ryoga reluctantly agreed.
"Good. Do what you want for the next three days. In fact, train with what you've seen me do here. I know you'll come up with something. After that, pack up and I'll find you so try to stay in Japan at least. I'm going to see somebody important first," Ranma added.
"And who might that be?" Ryoga asked.
"Happosai," Ranma replied.
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Ranma went about hopping from roof to roof as he searched for the perverted grandmaster of the Anything Goes Martial Arts. He'd spent the good part of the day looking for the man and even looked in the usual places that Happosai frequented. He was about to give up when he stopped and tried to focus on Happosai's unique chi-signature instead. He had more or less perfected the technique last night though there were a few kinks to iron out. After half an hour of intense meditation and concentration, Ranma found his target in a building a few blocks from where he was right now.
"Must be assessing his latest haul," Ranma thought to himself.
With that in mind, he stood up and did a short tai-chi routine; one that would recharge him from the draining task of wide-area chi-sensing. Ranma found it quite funny how a year or two of difference between his age and the younger Ranma's actually translated into years, possibly a decade of skill-difference. Until the splitting happened, he recalled his last thoughts when 'Y-Ranma' (Y=younger: thus from hereon in, this older Ranma shall be referred to as "E-Ranma"; E=elder while the older Ranko shall have a similar designation i.e., E-Ranko and Y-Ranko), was trying to get through a stumbling block in his quest to improve his martial arts skill. Given his current mental state back then, Y-Ranma couldn't make heads or tails with the problem. And now, here was E-Ranma who in a few days, came up with three new techniques and even possessed more power. E-Ranma recalled a few scrolls containing diagrams in the Tendo Dojo which showed the process by which a practitioner of the art could recover at least a portion of energy lost in a sparring match or actual fight, so long as the time allowed it. Of course, a normal battle rarely had instances where one could recharge immediately hence the miniscule amount of energy regained. But when E-Ranma combined it with the techniques of chi-gathering of the Dragon Ascension Fist, he discovered that the amount of energy he could regain was a lot greater than the scrolls intended and true enough, he was back to form in just five minutes. The whole thing made him realize the huge extent of the Anything Goes School: his father DID come up with two very powerful techniques despite his stupidity. Soun Tendo on the other hand, mastered at least the initial form of Happosai's aura attack, thus the demon-head. So as he made his way to Happosai, E-Ranma thought of arguments in order to convince him of a plan he wanted to enact.
(Tendo Household)
She had just finished preparing dinner for the whole household and was now arranging the dining area in order to accommodate their full number. As things were, there were three more mouths to feed now with her being one of them. E-Ranko blew away a stray lock of hair as she set about putting the plates and chopsticks on the table. She had elected to help out Kasumi with the household chores as Kasumi was quite busy with everything and now Y- Ranko stuck to her like an eager child. E-Ranko was two years older physically than Y-Ranko.and like her male counterpart, was getting to be more mature everyday. She wasn't as sprightly as Y-Ranko but she was faster and a bit more powerful now. Her sparring sessions with Y-Ranko almost always ended in a stalemate before but after three days, she was taking Y- Ranko down. Y-Ranma noticed this and decided to forego his chauvinistic view about girls as far as E-Ranko was concerned at least and regularly sparred with her. This irritated Y-Ranko and Akane to no end and they practiced as much as they could in order to catch up. Y-Ranma noted however that despite Y-Ranko's extra hours spent practicing; she and Akane weren't making as much progress as he did when he was practicing. Y-Ranko's speed made up for it for now but she needed a bit more power in her attacks. Y- Ranma concluded that the difference stemmed from the fact that Y-Ranko was younger than they were in all aspects. But what did confuse them all was the fact that E-Ranma hadn't been home for more than a week now. They searched high and low for him but just as they thought they had found him, his chi-signature disappeared. They weren't aware that E-Ranma was now leaps ahead of them in chi-matters and he could mask or hide his own chi long enough to throw them off-track. E-Ranko could feel him better than the others but even she failed to find him.
So now, there was just the eight of them. Genma of course ranted about his son's 'unmanliness' and wailed over where he went wrong and this often caused him to end up in the most painful of positions as the three pounced on him each time.
Things did quiet down a bit since Y-Ranko was often held in check by Kasumi while E-Ranko's own disposition calmed down somewhat as she found herself taking Kasumi's place every so often. Housework was indeed quite calming and this E-Ranko found herself enjoying. Y-Ranma was the only one who went to school for now as they were yet to settle all the Ranma's predicament. It wasn't an argument of whether they could be reintegrated but what was more important was how to deal with them being permanent. Little did they know that E-Ranma was currently busy with coming up with a plan to solve just that.
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E-Ranma meanwhile, was currently hiding himself from the Tendos, Saotomes and his counterparts in a certain abandoned, old warehouse. He barely managed to hide his chi in time and he knew that E-Ranko almost got to him. Indeed, her training seemed to progress at a slightly faster rate than the two younger ones and E-Ranma concluded that this was also due to her body and mind immediately adapting to their physical age. He could usually lose them while they were three blocks away but she had gotten to within two this time. E-Ranma held on to his chi as he felt them still around and only relaxed when he was sure that they were far enough.
"That elder Ranko's getting better each day. I guess it figures; we're all Ranma deep down," E-Ranma sighed.
It only meant that he had to finish this 'mission' of his really soon else the others muddle it. Happosai proved to be a difficult prey to catch and he had to wait until the next day just to track the old lecher down. E- Ranma left nothing to chance this time and he made sure that Happosai would come to him now. He had relieved Happosai of his latest batch of women's underwear and left a note, saying where Happosai could find him. He waited outside Nerima, in an abandoned building that used to be a log-storage cabin in the foothills. True enough, E-Ranma felt Happosai's huge chi- signature as the old pervert made a beeline for him. After a few minutes, Happosai appeared over the hillock, fuming and angry.
"Where are you, Ranma?!! Come out so your old master can teach you a lesson. You dare to relieve me of my precious darlings?!! Ranma!!!" shouted Happosai.
His rants were silenced however, when a huge sack of underwear dropped on him from above, rendering him immobile.
"Aarrgghh!! Who's big idea is this anyway? Who dares to separate me from my lovelies?!!" Happosai grunted as he struggled to free himself from under the sack. His queries were answered when E-Ranma appeared.
"Ah, Ranma! Can you help out your master from this mess? And while you're at it, put on this set of lovelies for me!!! Sweeto!!!" exclaimed Happosai as he was suddenly able to jump free of the pile that was on top of him.
"Eh? Where'd you go, Ranma?" asked a startled Happosai as E-Ranma disappeared from where he stood. What surprised him was the chi, or rather, the lack of it. As far as Happosai could remember, Ranma's Chestnut-Fist speed was only slightly faster than Cologne's and Happosai knew that if Ranma were to try and go faster, he'd have to infuse his moves with his chi. How he achieved it this time was beyond Happosai.
"I don't know how you did that last stunt my boy, but you can't hide for long. Come out; come out, wherever you are!" Happosai jeered, and proceeded to laugh menacingly. His laughter was short-lived however, as an open-palm strike caught him flat in the face; sending him backwards with so much force that he knew he would hit the wall really hard. Happosai was no slacker though, and as he neared the wall, he twisted in mid-air so that his own sack would hit the wall first.
"I had no intention of hiding, ya old freak!" E-Ranma declared as he struck Happosai in the face.
"Really now; that was one of your father's forbidden-techniques, wasn't it?" Happosai asked as he slowly stood up from where he landed.
"Heh. You of all people should know the difference. It wasn't the Yami-ken- sen at all as you'd have to use your chi and fold it inwardly first. This was purely chi-masking.
"Of course, I knew that! But I have to admit you grown quite skillful since our last battle. I didn't expect you to master something like that in a few days. So, what do you want? Or do you just want to make an old man happy by changing and putting on these darlings?" Happosai inquired as he waved a set of really sleazy-looking women's undergarments. E-Ranma had to grumble at this; truly there was no stopping the old man's perversion.
"No, I did NOT come to change and put those on so better put them away before I tear them apart," Ranma stated.
"You wouldn't dare harm these darlings--! Eh?!!!" was all that Happosai could say as he felt the bra and thongs disappear from his grasp, only to find them dangling from Ranma's fingers which seemed like they were glowing. Happosai was flabbergasted at what he saw as he knew what that glow around E-Ranma's hand was: Neko-claws or something similar to it. The effect on the lacy items would be the same though so Happosai knew that E- Ranma was serious.
"Okay, I believe you. So what DO you want?" Happosai asked.
"Old man, I mean, Sensei: I invoke the final test of the Anything Goes School of Martial Arts," E-Ranma uttered and waited for the old grandmaster's reply.
Happosai was taken aback by E-Ranma's request. It was highly unusual since this would be the first time that a student of his was asking for it. He himself did not have any master to challenge but as with all schools of martial arts, there was a system to be followed when it came to ascension in rank.
"I --- don't know what to say, Ranma. Are you sure you want to do this? You haven't even fulfilled the union of the two houses of the art yet. Your father may be the more skillful of my two students but the Tendo branch does have its own forms which, though unpracticed, are a match for what your father knows. I can only receive a worthy challenge from one who has mastered both forms," Happosai replied.
"I am aware of that and I have been able to learn the important forms of the Tendo branch. Most of the preliminary forms are identical to what I've learned from my father so I focused on two main aspects of that branch," E- Ranma replied.
Happosai was surprised further since E-Ranma was correct. Both schools did share the basic forms so a student of one school could easily shift to the other so long as it was still the basic forms. As soon as one got higher though, the said student would have to stay with the branch exclusively and learn THAT school's art to the fullest. Only masters of each school were allowed to learn the other school's forms and even so, they could only do so after passing a rigorous test by the grandmaster. E-Ranma also amazed him by stating that he had learned two of the Tendo branch's higher forms. Genma was able to come up with two powerful techniques so as a balance, E- Ranma needed only the same number of styles from the Tendo school.
"Really now? And what two forms from the Tendo school did you learn, Ranma?" Happosai asked.
E-Ranma grinned then said in reply: "Why don't we have a match so you can find out for yourself?"
Happosai was miffed at this and commenced to attack. Their usual exchange took place and Happosai had to admit, E-Ranma was a lot better now. As proof, attacks that usually pierced E-Ranma's defenses were parried or dodged this time and Happosai also found himself more and more on the defensive as their battle lengthened. But he had to know which of the Tendo forms E-Ranma learned so he threw an unusually big Happodaikirin bomb at E- Ranma. When the smoke cleared, he saw it: a glowing shield of chi emanating from E-Ranma's outstretched fist.
"The Impenetrable Fist. Very good, Ranma. Now show me the other one," Happosai dared.
E-Ranma dissipated his shield then shifted his position a bit. Happosai was curious as to why E-Ranma made no attempt to attack him but his waiting was immediately rewarded when he saw E-Ranma's second attack.
"Aura Blast!" E-Ranma shouted. His aura flared into life as he launched his attack towards Happosai who was stunned beyond words at what he saw. The Tendo Aura Blast was one of the most powerful of attacks that Happosai created and he was actually teaching Soun the basics of that attack before they locked him up in that cave. Soun was only able to flare his aura but not launch it. What was amazing for Happosai was the form that E-Ranma's aura took as he flared it: a dragon's head. Happosai's own version had his face in the outline of the chi and Soun's actually had the potential to be a stronger form as it was a demon-form of Soun's own face. E-Ranma's attack was also slightly different as instead of the 'chi-head' flying towards its target, E-Ranma's dragon head gave the impression of blowing fire from its mouth. Happosai had to launch his own aura blast just to counter E-Ranma's attack, though he had to dodge the last vestiges of E-Ranma's attack as it actually overpowered his own aura-blast. As soon as their attacks fizzled out, Happosai gave E-Ranma an inquiring look before sitting down and smoking his pipe. E-Ranma on the other hand saw that Happosai had no further intention to carry on with their battle so he calmed down as well. A few silent minutes passed by before Happosai spoke.
"Amazing. There's no doubt that you've indeed mastered those two arts from the Tendo school. I am curious as to how you were able to do so since Soun himself doesn't know how to do these in the first place," he asked.
E-Ranma replied by dropping a scroll in front of Happosai. The grandmaster of Anything Goes recognized it as the Tendo Ryu scroll which he gave to Soun ten years ago.
"I see. He gave this to you then?" Happosai asked.
"Yes. He said I had to learn it since I would be taking over his dojo once Akane and I got married," Ranma replied.
Therein lay the loop-hole by which E-Ranma was able to learn the Tendo arts without having to fight Soun Tendo for it or marry Akane. Happosai could only shake his head at the utter stupidity of both his students.
"Very well then: you have proven yourself worthy by passing the final test, Ranma. For all intents and purposes, your skill is equal to mine and you can be declared Grandmaster now. Isn't that what you wanted?" Happosai asked.
"Yes, but I would want you to declare me as A grandmaster, not THE grandmaster, sensei," Ranma replied.
"Eh? Just a mere grandmaster? Why?" Happosai asked.
"You're not dead yet, sensei. Until that time comes, you are still the grandmaster of Anything Goes," Ranma replied.
Happosai was surprised even more by E-Ranma's last statement. There and then, he knew that E-Ranma was indeed worthy to carry on the school of martial arts that he founded.
"Very well, Ranma. Come," Happosai signaled.
E-Ranma approached and knelt on one knee as Happosai prepared his declaration.
"Ranma Saotome, by virtue of a stalemate in battle with me, the grandmaster of the Anything Goes School of Martial Arts, you have proven yourself as my equal and thus deserve to be called grandmaster as well. However, due to your own request, the title of full-grandmaster shall not be granted yet until such time that you choose to be called such," Happosai declared.
E-Ranma was about to rise when Happosai continued.
"But grandmaster you shall be called. And upon my death, whether I have declared your full-grandmaster status or not, you will be deemed full- grandmaster of the Anything Goes School of Martial Arts," Happosai added.
"Are you done, sensei"?" E-Ranma asked.
"One more thing: Normally, I would've taken you with me on a special training trip in order to show you higher forms of the various martial arts that I've incorporated into Anything Goes but since I may not last longer than I would wish, I will have to use a quicker method of training," Happosai explained.
"And how will you do that, sensei?" E-Ranma asked.
E-Ranma was about to say something more when he saw Happosai flare up his aura again but this time, it wasn't for an attack. The chi wasn't even in the shape of Happosai's face anymore but a glowing orb. It hovered in mid- air for a while then shot straight into E-Ranma who was caught completely by surprise. In that instant, all of Happosai's knowledge and experience with martial arts was 'downloaded' into E-Ranma and when it was finished, E- Ranma was speechless. Everything that Happosai went through and all the training he received was instantly learned and every experience was felt and in the end, E-Ranma fell to his knees. Happosai let him digest everything before speaking up.
"I see you've fully absorbed everything I transferred to you, Ranma. That's good," Happosai noted.
"Why didja have to do it that way, sensei?" E-Ranma asked.
"Sort through my experiences and you'll know why," Happosai replied.
E-Ranma did so and after he few seconds, he found out.
In his quest for betterment of his martial arts, Happosai during his younger days stumbled upon a man who turned out to be a former monk. The man was well-versed in a higher form of tai-chi which he mixed with kenpo. It was from this man where Happosai confirmed that Kenpo karate was the most adaptable to almost all non-armed fighting styles and thus proved to be the best basic form. He challenged the man to a friendly match, stating that he was also a martial artist and wished to know his own level. The man agreed and their match began. Their skill was about equal but the man's power level and speed was phenomenal. Happosai found out that this was due to the man's immense chi-level with which he infused his moves. He begged the man to take him as a pupil and after a few days of begging, the man agreed. Happosai was a very quick learner but the man cautioned him not to begin practicing the higher forms immediately even after Happosai had mastered the basic and intermediate forms. But in his impatience, Happosai trained himself with the higher forms albeit, secretly. He had already finished his intermediate training and was actually demonstrating to the monk all that he had learmed. Happosai wanted to surprise his master by showing him that he already knew the higher forms and began altering his kata in order to draw in more chi. The man warned him to cease but Happosai didn't listen and pushed through with his routine. After sensing he was ready, Happosai decided to launch his attack on a boulder beside him. He planned to demolish the boulder by a chi-infused punch and was actually successful in doing so but after he was done, Happosai felt all his strength drain from him. In truth, he was actually losing his life essence, his chi. He woke up and was greeted by the sight of his master who told him that he had been sleeping for two days. His master scolded him for attempting the move though he had to give praise for Happosai's aptitude. He showed Happosai the next page of the scroll where it stated that anyone attempting to learn the style should also learn the recovery style as well before attempting to infuse any attack. Happosai's master informed him sadly that Happosai could no longer recharge his chi ordinarily and had to find other sources of chi. He added that Happosai would have to recharge himself every other week since there was a permanent 'hole' in his chi- reserves now and he was slowly losing his life essence. Happosai was shocked but he accepted his fate as it was his own fault. They parted ways after a week and eventually, Happosai found that women's underwear was the most effective chi-source for him as he could tap into his perversion quite readily as it was his nature. Yet E-Ranma realized that Happosai wasn't as perverted as everyone thought. What he did, he did so in order to save his life. Happosai was actually slowly losing his chi everyday and it was only through the sheer number of lingerie that he was able to stem this loss even if temporarily: thus, the reason for the immediate transference of knowledge and skill to E-Ranma.
"I didn't know you were slowly dying, sensei," E-Ranma uttered.
"Heh. It doesn't matter now. At least when I'm gone, I know there'll be one to carry on for me," he stated.
"I give you the same advice as my master then gave me: don't rush it else you'll suffer the consequences. I feel though that it's not that necessary anymore since you shown me that you've already increased your chi without harm," Happosai noted.
"Thank you, sensei," said E-Ranma.
As he rose from where he knelt, E-Ranma noted that Happosai wasn't moving from where he sat.
"Are you alright, sensei?" E-Ranma inquired.
"I will be in a while. I'll just inspect my lovelies and then I'll be back to form in no time!" Happosai replied.
As much as E-Ranma wanted to believe him, he couldn't. He noted that their fight may have taxed Happosai too much. E-Ranma decided to help out for one last time. He walked over to get the set of lingerie he had gotten from Happosai earlier.
"I'll only do this once so better make sure you don't forget. If you try to make me do it again, I'll beat the living daylights out of you," E-Ranma declared.
"Eh? What do you mean, Ranmaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!" was all that Happosai could say as E-Ranma doused himself with cold water and was wearing the bra and thongs. Happosai couldn't enjoy the sight as much as he wanted as E-Ranma suddenly disappeared from view and reappeared as a man. It did the job however, and Happosai was rejuvenated.
"Thank you, Ranma. I know you hated doing that but you did so to save me. I am honored," said a thankful Happosai.
"So what are you going to do, now that you're a grandmaster?" Happosai inquired.
"I still have a few things to take care of but I'll be back to deal with them. I would appreciate it if you didn't tell the others about what happened here and carry on normally, sensei." E-Ranma replied. "I don't understand but I will respect your request. Where are you off to then?" Happosai inquired.
"To Jusenkyo, to cure my curse," E-Ranma replied.