Chapter 9 - Ryu vs. Ronau

Ryu and Ronau both transformed, but this time Ronau was a Rei Shaman level 3, and was more powerful than Ryu. But Ryu had a secret weapon. As soon as he transformed, he put Tokageroh into his wooden sword. He was using Spirit Unity and Spirit Control simultaneously, which gave him a significant power boost, but he was still weaker than Ronau. Ronau started charging his Death Call attack, and launched it at Ryu. It broke his Spirit Control, which Ryu easily reestablished, but this time his furyoku was much higher than before.

"How did this happen? How could've your furyoku grown so much after that attack!" said Ronau.

"You see, Ronau, as a Rei Shaman, your Spirit Control changes." said Ryu. "When you broke my Spirit Control, my wooden sword absorbed some of the furyoku from your attack, and then when I reestablished my Spirit Control, I claimed that furyoku as my own. It is called Narashi. Give up now, Ronau, while you still can."

"Never!" he said, and attacked Ryu again, breaking his Spirit Control. Ryu reestablished it yet again, and this time his furyoku grew so much that it surpassed Ronau's by a longshot. Then he attacked Ronau, swinging his sword right through him. Ronau fell to the ground, but he was still in one piece. However, he was completely out of furyoku, and he was on the brink of death until Ryu healed him.

"Well guys, that's one loss and one win. I better not run into you guys again or I might not survive until the second round." said Ronau, and laughed discreetly. "By the way, did you meet my friend Sorna yet?"

"Oh, yeah. We met her. I even faught her." said Yoh.

"Oh, so you're the Asakura she keeps talking about." said Ronau. "You must be pretty strong if you were able to beat Sorna."

"Actually, no. She was stronger than me, but she didn't use her furyoku wisely. That's why she lost." said Yoh.

"I see. Well, see you in the second round, Yoh." he said, and dissapeared through a Dimensional Door.

"He's okay." said Yoh.

"Yeah." everyone droned.

"Hey, guys, did you hear the news?" asked Silva.

"No. What happened?" said Ren.

"Thanks to Ryu terrific performance, the King of Spirits granted you permission to go to Dobi Village right now! Congratulations! You passed into the second round!" said Silva.

"No kidding? I did that?" said Ryu.

"You sure did, Ryu." said Yoh. "Well, let's go!"

And so they set off for Dobi Village, only this time, it was through the air.

"Hey guys, what do you say we go Rei Shaman so we get there faster?" said Horo.

"Great idea, Horo!" said Yoh, and transformed along with everyone else. In this form, it only took two days to get to Dobi Village. However, half-way to their destination, they met the Spirit of Fire, and with it, The Spirit of Water, Earth, and Air.

"So, I guess Hao's already on his way, huh?" said Yoh.

"Hao, bah!" said the Spirit of Fire. "We abandoned Hao. As soon as he escaped, our bond to him was broken. Finally, we are free! And now, we will destroy you."

"Actually, you're wrong" said Ren. "It is us who will destroy you."

"Do you really think you can fight the elements?" said The Spirit of Water.

"Yes." said Ren, and without ascending further than Rei Shaman level 1, launched his Rapid Tempo Strike, disintegrating the spirits. Now their trip to Dobi Village could continue. But there was something strange. How could Hao achieve Rei Shaman without his guardian ghost? They got the answer when they got to Dobi Village, for the very first person who they saw there was none other than Hao himself.

"Hao. We meet again. Do you mind explaining how you managed to become a Rei Shaman without your guardian ghost?" said Yoh sacrastically.

"Ah, the explanation again. Very well. You see, Yoh, Spirit Unity is only one of the ways to achieve Rei Shaman." said Hao.

"There are other ways?" asked Yoh.

"Yes. Using the sheer force of your furyoku." said Hao. "A good shaman doesn't need a guardian ghost. They are just leeches to your power, Yoh. As you can see, I achieved Rei Shaman level 4 without the help of any spirit."

"That's because you took your furyoku from shaman that were much more powerful than you." said Yoh.

"True, but I am still the most powerful being in the universe as of now." said Hao. "I'll see you later in the Tournament, Yoh. I look forward to facing you in battle."

"Wait, Hao. Explain this to me: Why did you enter the Tournament again? Just to face me, to steal my power?" said Yoh.

"Why, the same reason I reincarnated 500 years ago. To create my shaman only kingdom. And no one on this planet is going to stop me." said Hao.

Yoh sighs.

"Well, it's like they say. You can't teach an old dog new tricks." said Yoh.

They split into teams of three, like always. Hao did the same. He created two illusions of himself, and made them his team. And just in time, for another team was about to challenge Team Asakura, in the first battle of the second round.