This is the 39th chapter. This is the beginning of Fall Arc and where Kamigari make their move. I don't own the series of Maken-Ki.
Tenbi Academy
The next day, Zane and Azuki were on their way towards the school since the Fall Semester was about to begin. Yesterday, they've heard that Haruko has been acting strange recently after knowing Inaho was rejected from Takeru which it got them pretty worried. Of course, Haruko was relieved about it, but she felt hurt that Inaho was sad. What got them surprised was that Inaho dragged Takeru into the bedroom, much to their dismay and Haruko's embarrassment. However, what got them surprised the most was that both Inaho and Haruko are rivals of love and they have rekindled their friendship. That was one of the most mundo bizarro thing they've ever seen, but they were relieved that the two have made amends.
When the Shinatsu siblings have walk down towards Tenbi, Chacha snuck up to him when she embrace her boyfriend. Kimi manage to catch up to her friend.
"Morning, Zane." Chacha greets with a smile.
"Morning." Zane greets his girlfriend.
"Hey Chacha." Azuki greets, seeing Kimi catch up to her friend. "You two can save your love bond later. Right now, we have to hurry up before we're late."
"She's right. The Opening Ceremony starts along with the 2nd semester." Zane added.
"Yeah, but the school festival also starts for the 2nd semester." Chacha told him. "Plus, we might have fun at the school festival."
Azuki and Kimi knew that Chacha wanted more than just having fun with Zane. They then saw Inaho, Haruko, and Himegami rush towards Tenbi Academy which they were running late as usual, but noticed that Takeru wasn't here.
"Hey, where's Takeru?" Zane questions.
"He was probably slacking off somewhere." Azuki sighed with annoyance.
'That or he was doing his morning training? If he is, then he'll be in worse condition.' Zane mentally thought.
"We don't know." Inaho answered. "He usually came towards the bathroom accidentally and gets hurt constantly."
"But now, he didn't come here today." Himegami added as she turned her head to Haruko with a smirk. "Which it's a real shame since Haruko have took some time to change her hairstyle and make herself up for Takeru."
That got Azuki, Chacha, Kimi, and Zane chuckled of her remark, making Haruko blush with embarrassment.
"It's A Mood Change Thing! And I Only Changed How I Tie My Hair!" Haruko shouts.
"Whatever you say, Haruko." Zane and Azuki said in unison with an amusing smirk.
"Anyway, we should get going." Himegami told them. "It we're late for the Opening Ceremony, the Vice-President would lose face."
That got both the Shinatsu siblings burst with laughter of Himegami's remark and Haruko sweat drop while given her an annoyance look as they head towards the gym since Minori will start the Opening Ceremony and making an announcement about having new teachers, new student, and Kamigari.
Meanwhile, Takeru have woken up from his morning somewhere around the mountains.
"SHIT!? I'M OVERSLEPT!?" Takeru yelled, quickly stood up. "Ah man, I fell asleep doing morning exercises. If the Principal finds out I'm already late at the start of the new semester."
That got Takeru really scared about Minori which he knows too well of her scary expression, wondering what would Minori would say about being late. He was thinking that she'll kill him for neglecting her teachings as he try to come up with an excuse which it's more like he'll talk his way out of it. He then realize about it as he spoke.
"I was thinking about it the wrong way! It's not possible to talk my way out of it!" Takeru exclaimed, stood up. "Guess there's no other way to apologize wholeheartedly. I have to do it with all my sincerity...When push comes to shove, I'll use the Dragon's Fang Heavenly Stance. If undertaking a journey across Japan means I could be forgiven, then that'd be nice."
Takeru was then making his way towards the dorm to get himself clean up and get change so he can get to Tenbi, even though he'll be late for the Opening Ceremony.
Tenbi Academy, Gym
When they made their way towards to the gym where a dozen of students and students have arrive here in Tenbi, Minori began to make an announcement while Jin, Koushi, and Amoi were right behind her.
"Today, I have two things I need to tell to the student body...No, the people of Tenbi." Minori said seriously. "First of all, temporary instructor, Koushi Amoi, new gym instructor, Jin Kitamura, and transfer student, Kai Amoi, will join our school as out new comrades. Also-"
"Everyone!" Koushi interrupts with a yell when he grab the microphone. "Summer may be over but we should passionately enjoy our days of youth!"
That got Jin sigh, rubbing his temple to prevent a headache while Minori then call his name with angry look on his face.
"Don't Scream In My Ear! Dumbass! Do You Want Me To Drag You Somewhere Where You Can See A Pretty River?" Minori yelled with her menacing glare.
"My bad! I got too hot-blooded in front of the students." Koushi apologize with his nervous chuckle.
Even though, the students in Tenbi knew how scary Minori is when she gets angry as they look at the new teachers. They don't care about Koushi since they saw how loud and hot-blooded he was, but Jin on the other hand, they seen firsthand of how handsome he looks despite being older. However, what they didn't know was that Jin is the one who taught Zane. When they look at Kai, the female students were thinking that he's cute despite the difference between him and Koushi.
"Ahh, sorry I went off track. The second thing I wanted to talk about was that there was an incident with Ouken, Kamigari's Chief who is currently being sought after. He is a criminal who's on the run. Tenbi will cooperate with Yomatsuri to tackle this case." Minori explains, leaving the students shock with horror reaction.
They didn't know of Kamigari's true attention and they were panicking about this situation. Syria and Zane were against the wall since they knew that this isn't going to end well.
"Well, this kinda reaction was to be expected." Syria said with a smile, earned a nod from him.
"Syria, you know where Kengo is?" Haruko asks.
"I don't take interest in any boys aside from Takeru and Zane." Syria shrugs.
"How could they both be late at a busy time like this?" Haruko questions seriously.
Minori then tried to get the students to quiet down so she can explain this situation.
Tenbi Academy
Meanwhile, Tenbi have finally made his way towards Tenbi Academy, but he was really late and the gates have closed, made him sweat drop as he spoke.
"Even when there's talk related to 'Hime Kagura'." Takeru said, heard that loud voice which cause him to panic, trying to find the right words to talk to Minori. "That loud voice just now was probably Koushi. Which mean the Opening Ceremony has already started...Okay! I'll pretend I'm not feeling well and head home."
"Wait." The voice said when he placed his hand on Takeru's head as he look at the man, revealed as Kai Kurigasa. He was now wearing a white shirt with torn sleeves, black shirt underneath, belt, black pants, and he still wore his wooden sandals, but he had a scar across his nose and he's not wearing a hat.
"If you're a man you would apologize properly. Me included." Kai told him, made Takeru shocked. "Yo, it's been a month in a half and you've forgotten?"
"It's Kai Kurigasa!?" Takeru exclaims. "Notlong after being admitted to the school, Azuki beat the hell out of you and right before the summer holidays you got pulverized by Yan."
"You're remembering only the bad things." Kai said with a sweat drop as he then burst with laughter. "Well, you're not wrong though. I learned the hard way. I went train myself again at the Ooyama's Dojo afterwards."
"By Ooyama Dojo, you mean my home!?" Takeru questions with shock.
Little did they know that Kengo jumped up the brick wall, looking around the school ground when he saw no one was on a patrol.
"Okay, I guess there's no one on patrol." Kengo said. "I'll casually get to the gym without being noticed by anyone. It would've sucked if I snuck around as if someone was on patrol in the first place."
However, Kengo overheard as he turned his head when he saw Takeru and Kai were about to fight which cause his face pale as Kai began to load his fist. Kengo then jump down to the ground while rush towards them.
"Those guys! They can't be planning to start a fight here!" Kengo exclaims. "The teachers will end up coming over!"
But it was too late, Kai then throw a punch at Takeru, causing a wind to blow the gates open and Kengo was then flying. When the burst of wind stops, Kai's fist was close to Takeru as he spoke.
"Just now...Kurigasa did that?" Kengo questions with a groan.
"Wow! You got really strong in a short period of time! Just what kind of training did you do!?" Takeru questions with shock.
"The hellish kind. Just thinking about it makes me..." Kai said as he then throw chunks down to the ground, causing Takeru to grimace at this situation.
"It was that extreme!?" Takeru exclaims, sweat dropped.
"However, seems I'm not the only one who changed." Kai said with a smirk, wiping the chunk off his mouth.
"You can tell?" Takeru asks with a chuckle, scratching the back of his head as he then look at the student with a blonde hair tied into a ponytail with a black ribbon and blue eyes. She wore a female Tenbi Academy school uniform, white gloves with gold accents, stockings, black high heels, and she carries a rapier sword. Her breast size were H-cup like Haruko and Chacha.
"Oh, isn't this perfect timing." Takeru said with a smirk. "As gratitude, I'll let you witness the newly reborn me!"
Takeru then use his element to burst the wind, causing her black panty shown as she then scream.
"I can also manipulate natural element and handle like this!" Takeru said with his perverted grin, blushed.
'Your roots haven't changed.' Kai thought with annoyance.
"Takeru Ooyama...Seriously..." Otohime said with scowl, earned their attention. "Exposing your eyes to filthiness this early in the morning, it's sickening."
That got Takeru glaring at her, but saw the other three female students.
The first girl is a large girl, towering over the two with brown hair, big red cheeks, and her eyes were shut.
The second girl has a long braided ponytail hair with yellow ribbons and her eyes were obstructed by her hair. Her breast size were A-cup.
The third girl has sky-blue hair with hairclips around her bangs and blue eyes. She wore a red cape, pink shirt, blue blouse and wore a Tenbi school uniform underneath. Her breast size were also A-cup.
"Well whatever." Otohime scoffed. "I don't have time to play around with you right now."
"If I remember, that girl is-"
"Otohime Yamato." Takeru finished his sentence with a growl. "How Dare You Appear Shamelessly In Front Of Me! You're Going To Tell Me Takeru Yamato's Whereabouts!"
Takeru then leap towards after Otohime, causing her to panic.
"Espada!" Otohime called her name as Espada drew out her rapier sword to slash him, causing him to catch her sword with his teeth.
"Deplorable." Espada said with a glare. "You're a deplorable young boy. Attacking without any reason. It's not something a gentleman should do. The wind you brought forth just now, included."
Espada then leap a few steps back as she spoke.
"The screech you heard when the winds came about...Please, in accordance with heaven, forget about it." Espada said, blush with embarrassment as she place her sword on the scabbard. "I'm only halfway towards becoming a full-fledged knight."
With that, Otohime and the others were heading towards the gym, making Takeru turned his head to them with a scowl on his face.
"Hey! Wait!" Takeruo shouts.
"You're the one who should wait." Kengo told him, earned his attention.
"Kengo? Why are you here? The Opening Ceremony has already begun!" Takeru stated.
"Couldn't I ask you same of you?" Kengo retorts, dust his uniform. "That aside, it's reckless to go against the four of them at once. Those four are third years who came from Kamigari. On top of that, the four of them are the owners of the Eight Maken."
That got Takeru shocked about those four third year students which they were powerful since Tenbi will be in for trouble.
Tenbi Academy, Gym
When the announcement continues, they heard someone was punching the wall, causing a crack on a wall as it then breaks with the amount of force. When the dust clears, Otohime and the third year students arrive at the gym, causing Minori, Jin, and Zane glaring at them.
"Hey, hey. Those aren't just walls. They were built with our citizens hard-earned tax money." Minori stated. "We're filing a claim afterwards, alright!? Address it to Takeru Yamato."
"If you want to complain, then put on a proper show." Otohime told the Principal without care. "You didn't use the door."
"They're third years!?" Haruko exclaims with shock.
Azuki and Zane then walk up them with a scowl. Otohime then blushed when she saw him again, but knew that he was the one who decapitate Yamato as she regain her composure. Espada and the other girls were staring at him which they noticed the aura of a lion surrounding him.
Espada was stunned beyond words when she first gazed upon him that has the 'Heart of the Lion' and a mercenary. She was expecting a man whose a pervert like Takeru, but what she was looking at was a man whose good looks, powerful adversary, and yet attractive something she could have fathomed. He gave off his fierce gaze like a lion.
With all of these factors piled up, Espada's body wanted to anxiously find out if Zane had the strength to match as she tremble slightly.
"Espada, calm down. We don't want you go on a rampage." The blue-haired girl scolds her with her calm tone, making her snap out of her stupor.
"Yes, you're right." Espada said, regain her composure. "As a disciplined-knight, I must reserve myself."
Zane then raise his eyebrow, figured that something was off as his sister spoke.
"That's Espada Love. She's a third-year student." Azuki told her brother. "But just to give you a heads-up, whenever her hormones gets flared up, she goes on a rampage and gets all lusty like a dog in heat."
"Good know." Zane said as he turned to her. "What do you want Otohime?"
"We came here to speak with humanity. It's simple business." Otohime said with a smirk, raising her umbrella. "We challenge you to a duel! Our stage is 'Hime Kagura'! We'll have a face-off between team Takeru Yamato and Team Tenbi. Our side will put the Eight Maken that the four of us carry on the table. As well as the whereabouts of Takeru Yamato."
Tenbi Academy, Principal's Office
Few minutes later, it's been decided that the fight will be taking place in the school festival known as 'Hime-Kagura' between Kamigari and Tenbi. Minori, Takeru, Zane, Koushi, Minvera, Amoi, and Jin were in the principal's office for some serious discussion about Yamato, Otohime, and the third year students. Of course, Takeru wanted to fight them, but Minori knew that he would try something stupid as she spoke.
"No, no." Minori said with annoyance, sighed. "I'm saying this isn't something a student should be poking their head into."
"If it's the investigation of Takeru Yamato, you can't say that I have nothing to do with it!" Takeru shouts, slamming the table.
"Just leave the investigations to the trackers...Tomika and the others." Minori told him.
"But you still haven't found him, right?" Takeru questions.
"Takeru, we understand that you want to fight Yamato, but you can't rush in and head-on. That will be foolish of you and you're in no shape to fight him either." Jin told him seriously when Takeru was about to talk. "Also, if you try fight against those five, you won't last for long since you're still recovering from the previous fight."
Takeru couldn't help but groan since he knew that Jin was right about that as Minori spoke.
"Well it seems they're having quite a bit of trouble." Minori explains. "Otohime and the others used a transmission barrier to barrier. But there should've been traces of the transmissions left in the atmosphere. Why is it that we can't find it?"
"I'm afraid they were more careful for not leaving any traces of transmission." Zane said with a sigh. "As far as I know, Kamigari was still licking their wounds and they still have Yamato recovered somewhere. Not to mention they've already lost some number of agents besides Hakuto and Yamato's cronies."
They knew that Zane was right about Kamigari losing number of agents and having Yamato recover somewhere as Takeru spoke.
"What will you do after you find him?" Takeru questions seriously. "Going against Takeru Yamato is-"
"We already know how capable he is, smartass." Zane interrupts with deadpan expression.
"You and Zane will take down Takeru Yamato with your own hands!" Koushi said with a smirk, earned their attention. "Your passionate feelings and his lionheart are coming through loud and clear! It's true that we're short-handed though!"
"What do you mean?" Zane questions, raise his eyebrow.
"The remnants of Kamigari seemed to have leaked information about the ability users existence to the mass media." Amoi explains. "Because of that, intelligence agents of Tenbi-Yomatsuri are now tremendously busy."
"It's really cut down our manpower, you know?" Minori groaned with frustration. "A really frustrating move on their part, seriously."
"Venus has to work as bodyguards for the executive staff of Yomatsuri, so they can't help us." Minerva added with a blush.
"For reason, you want to see Kengo." Jin, Zane, and Takeru said in unison with dull expression, causing Minerva to squeal.
"Anyway, the ability users existence? It a bad thing that they are exposed?" Takeru asks with confusion.
"NO SHIT!" Minori yelled with annoyance.
"If you don't know then I'll tell you." Amoi said with a smirk, grabbing Takeru's tie as Minerva then blush with excitement, but earned from Jin and Zane when they bonked her head, leaving a massive bump on her head. "Why is it that the ability users have detached themselves from the common world? A long time ago, ability users were worshipped respectively as Gods by the people. However, the end of the road was the same for all. People feared, envied, and bound themselves with hatred toward ability users who were blessed with power. Because of that, they strove to eliminate the ability users without fail. To prevent the same events from occurring again, the ability users formed an organization. From time to time, they manipulated peoples memories such that their existence is concealed indefinitely."
"Memories!?" Takeru exclaims with shock.
"Aki can also perform a memory manipulating technique." Minori pointed out.
"Rather than manipulating, it's more a technique where I wash out memories from the past 2 to 3 hours." Aki said with a nervous smile.
"Then even more so!" Takeru shouts when he slam the table. "If we're shorthanded, let me help! Even if we find Takeru Yamato, the only ones who can be his opponent is either me or Zane."
Minori was about had enough of his stubbornness and his recklessness, gained a tick mark on her head with annoyance.
"Takeru...You...Should Fulfill Your Role As A Student First. Come Back After You Finish Your Summer Homework!" Minori yelled as she then deliver an uppercut, having Takeru hanging up on the ceiling as she then sighed while clam herself down. "I heard from Haruko and the others you didn't even keep a journal. What on earth were you doing this summer holiday?"
"Principal...I..." Takeru groaned as he free himself from the ceiling while descend down towards the Principal. "Didn't I Go Through Your Hellish Training Alongside You!?"
Takeru then deliver a kick to her, causing her to block with her hand. Aomi was amazed of his strength while both Zane and Jin sighed, knew that Takeru would try something stupid with that conidition.
"Yeah? But thanks to that, you gained strength." Minori said seriously.
"I am grateful for that, but Takeru Yamato mission is another matter." Takeru said, butting his head against hers. "Besides, how do you expect someone foolish like me to manage my homework without my help?"
With that, both Zane and Jin then bonked Minori and Takeru, leaving a big bumps on their heads.
"Takeru, you're not fighting against Yamato in your state." Zane points out seriously. "You're still recovering since the previous fight and you've used too much of your 'Blood Pointer' ability. Plus, it's debatable that you'll face him alone."
Takeru then groan with frustration which he knew that Zane was right and hates it when he's right.
"Also, if that's your problem, Aki will help, so you better get to it." Jin added, making Aki shocked. "The discussion about finding Takeru Yamato will have to end."
"Bu-But, the new semester is already starti-"
"You idiot. The homework deadline is the start of the first class, right?" Minori asks, rubbing her sore head. "This is bonus time. Bonus time. I also started my homework after the opening ceremony started."
Tenbi Academy, Dorm Room.
Few hours later, Maken-Ki were busy with the cultural festival preprations before the 'Hime-Kagura' showdown. Even though, Zane and the others were mostly doing the paperwork and come up with the idea which they come up with the food stands, drink stands, games, etc. Inaho came up with the idea which was a café, more likely a butler café, causing Zane to chuckle a little since Takeru will be in for a surprise.
Kengo was dating with Minerva since they haven't been dating in a while and they have a chance to do that.
That night, Zane was leaning against the rail, thinking about Takeru Yamato's whereabouts since they're hiding him somewhere which Kamigari weren't making anything easier for them. Azuki came out of the dorm room when she saw her brother as she spoke.
"So, anything yet?" Azuki questions.
"Kamigari isn't making anything easier since Otohime and the others haven't left a trace of element. They're being careful this time." Zane explains seriously. "Also, they were trying to leak the information about ability users to the world."
"Seriously!?" Azuki exclaims with shock. "Dammit! Those bastards won't get away with this!"
"Yomatsuri and Tenbi were doing what they can to prevent that from happening." Zane assures his sister. "Right now, with everything going on, I'm afraid we're short-handed and they were too occupied."
"Let me guess, Takeru wanted to help?" Azuki asks, earned a nod from her brother. "Geeze, that slacker may have the guts, but he's a bit too stupid that Kamigari has strong agents like those third-year students."
"That's what Jin and I tried telling him, but he wanted to fight him." Zane said with annoyance. "One of these, his stubbornness is going to be the death of him."
Azuki then nodded with agreement since her brother was right.
"Well, the cultural festival starts tomorrow. And I think we best get ready for it." Azuki reminds him. "Also, I'll have you and Chacha have fun since this is your first time at the festival."
Zane then raise his eyebrow which she was right about it.
"Come on, you need to lighten up." Azuki said, playfully punch his shoulder. "Just have fun."
That got Zane chuckled a bit as he and his sister then head towards the dorm to get some sleep.
Kamigari HQ
Meanwhile, Otohime and the third year students were having a meeting about 'Hime-Kagura' and Yamato which one of them wasn't paying attention as she spoke.
"A school so sweet, it's too simple...This!?" The blue-haired girl exclaims with shock, leaving her body tremble a bit. "The two million we just invested in FX...is losing values..."
"What a waste of sweets." The giant girl points out.
"Shut Up! Compared To Our Lost Money, These Are As Worthy As A Fart!" The blue-haired girl yelled.
"It's better for a girl not to say things like 'Fart'." The giant girl said, feel offended.
"You Guys Are Annoying! Be Quiet Now!" Otohime yelled at the two.
"In reality, what is the situation? Lord Otohime." Espada questions, earned her attention. "They're going to find us here sooner or later, am I wrong?"
"It's the opposite, it's the opposite. Use your brain and consider this fact." Otohime explains. "This is the only place where we won't be discovered even if we used the transmission barrier. Besides, we've got a plan to undermine their goals. That said, in case this place gets discovered, you guys will protect it with your lives on the line."
"Naturally. I won't let anyone get their hands on Lord Takeru Yamato. In the name of a Knight's honor." Espada said seriously.
With that, they decided that the meeting was over as Otohime then began to think of about what would she can do about Zane since she knew how capable he fights, gained a blush on her cheeks.
'Someday Zane, I will make you mine one way or another. Once Chacha was eliminated, I'll have you to myself.' Otohime mentally thought with an arrogant smirk on her face.
Espada then began to think about Zane, causing her body to tremble and her juices were leaking between her legs as she form a menacing smile.
'I hope you can get my body burn later, Zane Shinatsu. Because of your fierce gaze, it really turns me on.' Espada mentally thought.
Apparently, both Espada and Otohime really wanted Zane, but they have their own way for having him which he'll be in for one hell of a fight.
That's it for the 39th chapter.