Chapter 22: Payback Time
That was it, Ryoma Suzuki was absolutely pissed off, one girl, one idiotic girl was enough to make him mad, and that was his fault for letting her to become stronger
-But as my instinct says, even if she was able to become a Shiranui master, that won't be enough to defeat me.
…
While the ladies were on their fight against Ryoma squadron on the shopping mall, Genzo and Kana were having a calmed time, visiting some stores, eating sushi and even on one moment, they visited a tailor, for what about?
-Mr Himura, can you make me a favor?- Genzo said
The man went outside of his office to attend him –Of course, how can I help you?
-It is an special request, for an special person.
Moments later, the two are found walking on the park and looking everything that was happening there, from the birds, listening the melodies on the park, the sakura trees, finally, on one moment they decided to sit down on a bench
-Thanks for this Genzo.
-No Kana, thanks to you for accepting, you see, is pretty weird to have a date when you're that old.
-I understand that perfectly, ha ha ha ha, and where are the ladies?
-On the shopping mall, the 4 deserve to spend a good time together- the old man said
-I know, but you see, when was the last time that we had moments like this?
He knew the answer -6 years ago.
-Oh, when Ryoma left the dojo… sorry.
-I don't know why he did it, is just so unreal.
As because of that, Kana decided to stay silent, both were just listening the environmental music that was on the park, calmed, relaxing…
-We interrupt our normal program to give you an important notice…
That made both Kana and Genzo to be a little angry
-This is unfair, what can be so important to break such a calmed situation? - Genzo asked
Then somebody started to speak -Greetings to everyone in the world, my name is Adelheid Bernstein, head of the Bernstein family, our recent communication is to inform that our organization has the purpose to organize the new King of Fighters tournament…
And as the tournament was that famous, caught the attention of the old ones
-Well, a new King of Fighters, that's nice- Kana said
-And a valid reason to interrupt anything, to say the least- continued Genzo
From the radio program, Adelheid continued to talk -Because of this, we need a new associate to give funds for this new tournament, in which both me and my sister Rose want to have the best and funniest tournament of them all, if you want to collaborate to this cause, contact us on the official sites of Bernstein S.A…
That's how the information ended, Genzo started to think about it and Kana noticed it
-So Genzo, do you think that probably is time for you to participate?
-I… don't know, first of all I don't have a team and second I was never interested, I even taught Ryoma that using his powers on tournaments like that is useless and a waste of time, probably he is still thinking about it as he also never participated.
-You are a little rude with yourself, like today, you need to have some fun.
-Af, probably I will do it… Do you want to go home now?
Kana, knowing that she said something that probably hurt him, decided to answer
-Yes, after we eat some ice cream.
Genzo smiled -Fine for me, I know that you love mint flavor.
….
Moments later the pair was walking towards Kana's apartment while eating their ice creams, Genzo's mind was focusing on her
-Kana Shirozaki, thank you for all the help that you were giving to me since my wife died years ago, without a mother, I could count on you to help me with whatever Ryoma needed from a female figure, even when he was so angry and not wanting to be kind with you… sorry if I'm like this, I just can't figure out how to talk about my own feelings, my life was dedicated to the dojo and my son.
Without noticing, the two finally arrived
-Well Kana it was nice to…
And he was surprised with a hug coming from the old lady, it was a pretty strong one and to add even more, she was crying a little
-Oh Genzo, you don't know how much it meant this for me, since I'm alone on this city, you coming to my life was the best thing that have ever happened to me.
-Kana- he hugged her back -Thank you for all, for Ryoma, for Mai and for me, I have an eternal debt with you.
Without saying anything else, both separated their ways, as the Shiranui master didn't know what else to say, but once he saw her entering to the building, he sighed
-I'm just that stupid…
…
The very next day, everyone was worried as Genzo was not waking up, so Shina went to his room in order to check him
-Mr Genzo, are you ok?
-Kind of…- was the only thing he was able to say on that moment -Shina, can you be on charge of the training today?
-Oh, I suppose that something happened yesterday- Shina said while smiling a little -Don't worry, but now I want to train both King and Yuri also, as the two are still sleeping, they will be really surprised.
Genzo then was curious -What time is it?
-7:30?
-And Mai?
-She went to Kyoto, even if you're sleeping, I asked her to continue training.
-Even if you're smiling… you're pretty strict- Genzo joked
…..
Speaking about her, Mai decided to make a little change of route, as right now she was running on the downtown, everyone was looking at her because how famous she became after that Ryoma beatdown, but one thing they can recognize was how much she changed, on a moment she stopped to take some air
-Damn, I was running since 6 am- she said to herself, then a kid approached to her -What?
-Everyone was thinking that you were a stupid- he said being so innocent
-Well, that is not a surprise.
-But now, everyone has faith.
-Faith? - the kid then pointed to some of the people looking at her, this time some were giving thumbs up and smiling -Oh, I see.
-Everyone knew what happened on the city mall, they know that you were serious of defeating Ryoma, and everyone know about your strong friends, we think that all of you are going to be the ones that will set Kyoto free.
Mai smiled -Thanks for that kid.
The kunoichi continued their track, but as soon as she turned on a corner, she noticed a black car coming to the downtown, Mai recognized it immediately as she hide from them
-Lightning Crows are coming- paying attention of what was happening, she noticed that even more cars were approaching -An attack now?
….
-Wake up you lazy ladies!
-Waaaahhhhh!
Hearing her yelling made both King and Yuri to jump from their beds to the floor, they were on another room in the dojo
-Damn, Mai's mom voice is really loud- the blonde lady said while taking her head
-It somehow reminded me of how my dad wakes me up- Yuri continued while laughing
-Now ladies is time to train with me, it is already a little late today, but better late than never- Shina was looking like an old fashioned sensei with that monologue -Come down so we can start.
Both ladies sighed, the very moment that King's cellphone started to ring
-Oh, it's Mai- she answered -Hello?...
After some seconds, the face of the blonde lady started to change, becoming more serious, something that Yuri and Shina noticed
-Understood, we are coming as soon as possible.
-What happened? - Yuri asked
And her friend answered-Mai witnessed a group of Lightning Crows on the downtown, probably preparing an attack, she is asking us to go there.
-But the distance between the dojo and Kyoto is too far, we need a miracle in order to arrive there soon.
Shina had an idea -Let's ask Genzo, probably he would want to join to this fight.
Just seconds later, Shina went to his room, the old sensei was stretching and already on his classic battle suit
-Mai called, the Lightning Crows are on the downtown.
Then he stopped -Arriving there on time will cost us all our energy… what time is it?
-Quarter to 8.
-The bus is near, get ready then- Genzo went outside of his room -My son is probably with them, but his henchmen are not him, so I can take them out.
-Speaking about it, why you didn't stop him? - of course she received no answer -Sorry if that was a topic you don't want to talk about.
-Just let's go as soon as possible.
….
20 minutes after Mai made that call, she went to a house on the downtown, asking for something to drink
-Thank you- she said after drinking a glass of water -I need as much energy as possible for the upcoming fight.
It was the house of the same kid that talked to her before, as he was there with her mother, both with black skin and using pretty normal clothes, even if their apartment was looking a little poor
-Sorry that we can't do anything else- the lady said
-I'm curious, how many have tried to defeat Ryoma before me?
The kid answered -Lots of them, the police also, but he was just that powerful, some of our neighbors tried to fight him back but failed and were recruited by him.
-Even my husband, that's why we are afraid of the crows.
Mai was starting to think about it -So, what do you think about my idea of fighting Ryoma?
-At first we thought that you were totally nuts, then after yesterday, everyone is happy.
Mai smiled, but then she heard a little explosion, after looking from a window, she witnessed how some people were running from the attacks of the crows
-For the love of god, they are attacking now, I don't know if I alone can do something against them…- looking how afraid the woman and the kid were, Mai sighed -But I will try.
Jumping from the window, which was on a second floor, Mai landed with a fire attack over a little group of Lightning Crows, looking all of this the ones that were not reached by the fire were surprised
-Ok, who wants to get his ass kicked?
But near there, Ryoma, Laura and Guldo were waiting inside a car, Laura was receiving a call, then closed
-It started as you asked mister.
-Perfect, if this works, we can continue to do this kind of attacks, so, even if Mai friends and my father interfere, it will be too late for them.
Guldo then said something -Probably we can intercept them on a bus stop.
-And to have more of my army destroyed? Look at me, just 4 of them were enough to make run and knock out 160 of my men, and right now sending out the entirety of them is a last resource option, I don't want to have problems…with that guy, so let's go now.
-To break their hearts- Laura added, and started to move the car
They didn't have to drive too much, as the place that they wanted to arrive was near the downtown, once they arrived, Ryoma sighed
-Here we are, Guldo, give me the honors
-With all pleasure.
The brute used his raw power to destroy the door at one side of a closed store, it was Kana's store
-Ok granny, is time to pay all your debts! - the brute yelled while the trio was getting upstairs, as they didn't receive any response, once they came to the apartment, Guldo destroyed the door -Here we are!
But what they witnessed was the old lady, smiling while doing some mathematics on her living room
-Oh Ryoma, long time no see each other- she said
-Why are you so calmed? - he answered
-I supposed that this day would come eventually, since you became a mafia boss, I promised that, the day that you will come to my apartment, I would react as calmed as possible, knowing what will happen later on.
-You shouldn't be, this is your end old one, you helped Genzo and that slut to give us so much problems- Laura continued -Do you know how frustrating it was?
-I know- Kana stopped to do her calculations -It is just that, I wanted to have my old Ryoma back, the one that was an idiot yes, but a helpful and nice person.
-That person is dead, and will never come back- he said immediately -You are not my mother Kana, you wanted to believe that, but even my father rejected you.
-I know… since I traveled to Kyoto after my family accident, your father was kind enough to help me to raise my store and even you helped me on the early days of it, don't you remember that? Since you left, all that your father wanted was for you to return home, to become that nice guy that you were…
-It will never happen, Guldo, Laura…
Laura shoot a little spark on the other side of the living room, where the kitchen was and with that, a tiny explosion that was enough to start a fire, and Guldo entered to the apartment to start throwing all the things on the living room to the fire, Kana witnessed it all of it in horror, breaking her calmed state
-No, please don't do this Ryoma, remember the old time, You wanted to use your strength for the good!
-Shut the fuck up old one!- then he watched her starting to cry -What, didn't you say that you will know what would happen now?
-I just believed that you wanted to kill me straightforward, not to make me suffer like this.
-Well, you were wrong, there are destinies worse than death itself… Guldo get out of here before you get caught on the flames.
-Immediately sir- then he threw a tv that produced another little explosion, after that, he took Kana and sent her to the floor, hurting her in the process- damn, how fragile.
Looking to all of this, Ryoma just sighed -I hope that this will be enough for you to consider your options, don't make me mad again, understood?
But once he and his gang was leaving, Kana, using her remaining strength, crawled to the outside while talking
-She will be your doom…- a phrase that make Ryoma to stop -You wanted to laugh at her but you are doing all of this because you realize, that she is the one that will stop you and your henchmen, Am I wrong?
Laura just said -Boss, let's get out of here- but just after some steps of her, she realized that hearing that, touched a sensitive fiber in him -Boss?
And Kana continued to speak -Yes, Genzo knows it, her mother knows it, everyone knows it, the knucklehead, the one that doesn't know when to stop, the warrior that didn't know up to now that she was destined for something big… to be your nemesis… Her name is Mai Shiranui!
-Shut the fuck up now stupid! -Ryoma shoot a thunder at one side of Kana's head, aiming to the wall and failing on purpose -You and the city know nothing, I'm the strongest here and I will ever be… No...
He noticed it, that attack, even if it didn't land on the old lady, produced something on her as she was starting to gasp, faster at every second, once Kana and Guldo looked at her, the big one said
-Sir, she's having a heart attack.
Totally astonished about it, Ryoma decided fast -Let's… let's get out of here…
After all of that happened, on the downtown the reinforcements arrived, Yuri, King, Shina and Genzo helped Mai to easily beat the 50 henchmen that produced the attack on that place, Yuri finished the beatdown kicking someone on the butt
-And never come back!
The group was gasping because of the fight, but not as much as yesterday
-Damn, having fights day after day is pretty tiring- Shina said
-But why did this group attacked like that? It is so strange.
-It doesn't matter, the important thing is that we won- King added
But then the people on the downtown started to talk about something, smoke was starting to appear on the sky like a column and everyone was pointing on that direction
-A fire?- Mai asked
But then Shina said something that scared everyone -Is coming from Kana's apartment direction… could it be?
And Genzo realized it in horror -Kana is in danger, we need to move!
As soon as possible, the group ran as fast as possible, but on a moment they crossed the black car in which Ryoma and his gang, Genzo and the rest stopped for some seconds
-No… was he the responsible?
But then the ladies re-started the run -Genzo sensei don't stop now!- Mai yelled
And he followed them, after two minutes of running, they watched in horror the apartment being on fire
-No way!- Shina yelled
-We need to rescue Kana as soon as possible!- Mai said rapidly
But then Yuri and King went one step ahead -We're going in, you try to control the fire- the blonde one said
She and Yuri went inside the building while the Shiranui and Genzo tried to control the fire coming from the 2nd floor
-It is too much fire- Mai said
-Please, please, Kana needs to be ok…
But Genzo's prayers were not heard, as Yuri and King were carrying her on their shoulders, Shina went as fast as she could to help her
-Put her on the floor- as soon as the ladies did it, Shina checked her and tried to use her healing powers -Her heart has stopped, hopefully not more than 2 minutes have passed…
Yuri then asked -And if more time has passed, what would happen?
-My powers will have no effect on her…- The doctor started to sweat and gasp to the desperation of everyone watching -No, please no…
-Move now Shina, I will do it!
On a desperate situation, Genzo moved Shina away and he started to use his own energy to cure Kana
-You can't go away Kana, please don't go- tears started to appear on his face -Please, I was unable to say it properly, I want you to hear me please!
But then Mai ordered to everyone else -We need to stop him, that healing power has a secondary effect!
But even with the 4 ladies trying to stop him, Genzo was reluctant to stop -Don't do this please, I… she has to be ok!
-Genzo, is for no avail…! She's gone…-
Once Shina yelled that, the old man stopped his resistance, realizing that yesterday had an opportunity to say the truth to her, and now, Kana was there, lying with a sad expression and unable to move, with her spirit landing on the realm of the dead ones
-Why… why it had to be like that? Dammit! - and he punched the floor with so much strength that he broke it -I just can't understand it, why I have to be so coward?
-Coward? - Mai asked
-First my son, I was unable to fight him back as I'm afraid of him… and now, if only I told Kana that I really love her…-
Remaining in silence, the only sounds that were heard were Genzo crying and the upcoming rain