This is the 41st chapter. I don't own the series of Maken-Ki.
Tenbi Academy, Gym
The next day, Students of Tenbi have gathered in the gym since Minori was making an announcement about Hime-Kagura which it's an event that happens once a year. However, most of the male students, except Zane, were busy ogling at Aki wearing in a bunny suit, much to her embarrassment. Since Zane have already given the information to the members of Maken-Ki, FurAan have secretly send Yuuka to Kamigari HQ.
"Well, Hime-Kagura was primarily for the selection of owners who would pass on their Hachi Maken in Tenbi's terms, it's much like a sports festival." Minori announces. "However, this time is different. I believe you have all been informed of this at the Opening Ceremony. Starting today, Hime-Kagura is Tenbi's and team Ouken's-those who oppose Kamigari's-Battle!"
Every students knew that this situation was serious since they've been informed about Kamigari and Takeru Yamato. The members of Maken-Ki and Kamigari were ready to fight at the event of Hime-Kagura.
"On the chance that Tenbi wins, they will receive infromation about Yamato...Ouken, and will also be given the Hachi Maken. If Team Ouken wins, then they'll be assured of the Hachi Maken and the inviolability of the five. Such are benefits of winning the battle." Minori explains. "The battle will last close to about half a month and victory will be determined in eight matches. You may freely line-up for each match. The one condition is that Team Tenbi is unable to use the same members for consecutive battles. Events are picked up at random, where the candidate choices are taken from past Hime-Kagura events that have been proposed by Team Ouken. Umm...Also...Team Tenbi is free to choose members from the student body-"
"About that." Otohime rudely interrupts with a smirk, looking at the students. "We wouldn't mind is any students wanted to join is as Team Ouken. There should be people who originally wanted to participate as Team Kamigari anyway. Well, not that there's anyone brave enough for that, I think."
Of course, the students in Tenbi have already heard of Kamigari's true intentions which neither of them would join them, but one of the student have heard enough.
"Be Quiet! I Cannot Accept Any More Insults Against The Students Of Tenbi! We Came To Kamigari Originally So That We Could Employ These Power Of Ours For The World!" Garret yelled seriously. "Making Kamigari Your Own And Lowering Your Dignity To The Ones Who Causes Such Havoc In The World, Ouken...The Proud Students Of Tenbi Will Not Cave Your Ideas! If You People Insist On Disrupting The Peace Of This Academy, I, Garrent Kinua, Will Have To Pass Judgement On You!"
The students of Tenbi, members of Maken-Ki, Minori, and Aki were shocked of Garret which this is new to them. They then began to support her as one of the students spoke.
"Tha...That's right."
"This is our academy..."
"Well said, Garrett! Though you're not usually reliable!"
"I'm so touched, Garrett! You're not usually this reliable."
"Yeah! We'll fight too! Together with the unreliable Garrett."
Though they were right about Garrett being unreliable since she's been rivals with Azuki.
"This is the power of unity within Tenbi." Garrett said with a blush.
"What are you blushing about?" Azuki questions with a smirk, smacking her back which cause her to yelp as the two then began to argue.
"Such a ridiculous sense of group awareness...what a farce." Otohim huffed, unamused as she then throw those miniature balls. "We've got the candidate events ready for the picks. So hurry up and draw one."
Aki then place the miniature balls inside of the spinning wheel.
"We only have five opponents?" Takeru asks curiously.
"Never mind the numbers, as their abilities are really something. Especially that Espada's...I got a good feeling of it when I faced her." Haruko explains, began to imagine about Demitra. "Her cool-headedness, her abilities...Yeah...She really resembles Demitra...Demitra?...I...wonder about that...Well, whether they resemble each other or not. in any case...I think the four of them-"
"Are being controlled by Takeru Yamato." Furan interrupts seriously, earned his attention.
"Even though I didn't sense any of Takeru Yamato's 'Black Element'!?" Takeru exclaims shockingly.
"I don't know about that, but the four of them were very fond of Tenbi before." Haruko stated.
"It's highly possible that they were brainwashed through some method different from the islanders. Such unjust method..." Furan told him, looking at the third year students. "However, there is no need to hold back. Even within Tenbi, their talent soared, until they were called 'The Four Pillars'. Because up until last year, the four of them were the Academy's Strongest."
"The strongest...as in even more so than Haruko?" Kengo questions with a fright expression.
"I was completely no match for them during my first year." Haruko declares with a smile, leaving Inaho scared.
"It'd be nice if I could participate too, but the Yomatsuri executives said I have to set school life aside while I'm on escort duty." Minerva said, rubbing her eyes.
"Well, if they're strong that then, if all the students here attacked together, it would work, right?" Amoi said with confidence.
"If we did that, then before they could reach out where Takeru Yamato is, they would commit suicide. Isn't that what they said?" Kengo questions.
"We can't be sure whether they will confess his location, even if we do win this battle." Amoi told him.
"For assurance, here on out, let's have a binding magical contract!" Koushi declared. "Now it won't be something to worry you."
"If you violate the contract, as a contractee, you'd have to give up your life! Don't try anything weird!" Minerva warned him.
"Okay, okay. Just putting it our there." Aomi simply shrugs, turned to serious. 'How naïve...well who cares. If Tenbi should lose...Then I will-'
"Representatives should confirm that they've read the agreement and then commit to the magic contract." Minori announces when she and Otohime have read the magical contract, sealed the contract since they made an agreement.
With that, Aki then spin the spinning wheel when one of the miniature ball came down, leaving her grabbing it and extends it to the Principal. She then opens it as she spoke.
"So for the Hime-Kagura's first match, the event will be: Pole Toppling! Also, the use of Maken is forbidden." Minori announce.
"Pole toppling, as in that-"
"It gives you the impression of a sports festival." Inaho told him.
"Hey, hey. The type of pole toppling that Tenbi would do is in no way ordinary, right?" Minori said seriously when she approaches them as she then begin explaining. "We're gonna use the entire school grounds. Members include two pole attackers, two pole defense guard, and one sniper who will be in charge of interference. As a team of four, you must find a way to cope with the vicinity. Teamwork will be of vital importance. Keep your spirits high. Then the most important part is which members to choose-""
"Me! Please Use Me!" Takeru declared.
"Le-Let Me! With All That Said, I Can't Back Down!" Garrett told the Principal.
"Let Me Do It! I Trained Hard During Summer!" Azuki said seriously.
"If I don't go, then who will?" Himegami questions.
"Wait, wait...If it's like that, then anyone interested should settle with rock-pa-"
"Hold on!?" Zane shouts, earned their attention. "Apparently, I have a solution that can be of help."
With that, Zane then began explaining of their capabilities and choosing who's gonna compete. He starts with Takeru, perverted, stubborn, and a hot-head but have the powerful Maken Blood Pointer which he still has a long way to master it, but the problem was that Takeru gets easily angry and doesn't want to fight women. Also, in no condition to fight since he's still recovering which he's out. Kengo was also a pervert, like Takeru, but he lacks of training and got his ass handed to Yamato which he's also out. Garrett have been a rival with his sister, her Maken is impressive, but the only thing that gets in her way is her haughtiness which she's out. Azuki was also a rival of Garrett, but she has speed, endurance, and reflexes during her training with her members of Maken-Ki and her brother which she's in. Furan's Maken was one of the Original Eight like the third year students and Haruko, but her marksmanship was deadly which she's in. He chooses Kai Kurigasa because he was training at the martial arts dojo for a month ago which his sheer size and endurance would be of help for the defense which he's in.
Minori and Furan were impressed of Zane's evaluation which he was able to figure out who goes and who stays. Takeru and Kengo didn't like his evaluation, but the way he said to them were accurate.
"Okay, we got three, but who'll be the fourth?" Minori questions.
"I am." Zane answered. "I'll compete."
"Alright, you're in." Minori nods.
"What!?" Takeru and Kengo shouts in unison.
"Well, Zane have much battle-experience than you two and he's been trained all of his life." Minori told them with a shrug. "Besides, even if you two would fight the third-years, you wouldn't stand a chance."
Though Minori was right since Zane does have much experience than those two perverts which the two didn't like it, but they have no choice but to give her a nod with reluctance. Takeru and Kengo then look at Zane with jealousy.
"Alright, participants shall now go get changed in the dressing rooms." Minori told them, leaving Azuki, Furan, Zane, and Kai heading towards the locker room to get change.
'Damn it! And just we're about to have a chance to show our good side. And on top of that, an event where he gets changed!? Zane...That fucking bastard...You're planning to be the only one with the good memories, did you? Just you wait, we'll beat that pretty face of yours!?' Takeru and Kengo mentally cursed in unison.
"Why am I not included in the bunch? How could you make a decision by evaluating the students for such an important battle?" Himegami growled with a question.
"I don't have the right to decide who participates or not." Minerva said. "Well, if it's a match without a Maken, then it'd be best to go with members that have good balance, right?"
"In any case, Venus doesn't even need to get involved! And Syria isn't present either!" Himegami shouts with annoyance.
"Syria overslept 'cause she pulled an all-nighter picking out today's outfit, it seems." Minerva told her when she check her email on the phone, leaving Himegami annoyed.
"Good luck out there, Zane." Chacha said with smile, kissed his cheek.
"Yeah." Zane nodded.
Unknown to the two, Espada was looking over her shoulder, seeing Zane and Chacha interact to each other which for some reason, she was jealous of her but that won't stop her for getting Zane for herself.
Tenbi Academy, Locker Room
When Zane was on his way towards the males locker room, he open the door and saw Espada in a black bra and black panties, earned her attention when she was looking at the photo as he then blush.
"What the hell are you doing here? This is the men's locker room!?" Zane exclaims with a shout.
"I wanted to come here so I can change quietly, I'd just prefer that." Espada told him with her calm tone. "But, there's also another reason."
With that, Espada then grab hold of his arm, placing his hand on her breasts as she then moaned.
"What are you-"
"Don't raise your voice. We'll be discovered, you know? Besides, this does indeed match my data." Espada said calmly, blushed. "Strong, fierce, it comes to show that you are like a lion."
"What are you getting at?" Zane questions.
"Regardless of their gender, I have a liking for strong people. I've had the hots for you after the match the other day." Espada told him with ecstasy, lean close to him. "Normally, I would hold myself back with the so-called way of the knight's restrictive of mindset, but I thought it would be a good opportunity. I couldn't it to the point that..."
'Shit, Haruko was right about her. She's way different from Demitra!' Zane mentally thought with a blush. He knew that if Chacha finds out about this, he'll be in big trouble and he won't hear the end of it as he spoke.
"Look, I've already got a girlfriend." Zane told her. "And I need to get change, so I ask of you to leave."
"Hmm, I suppose so." Espada said with disappointed tone as she then leave, but stopped when she turned to him. "Someday when my team wins this event, I will have you one way or another. I look forward to it, Zane Shinatsu."
With that, Espada then left the men's locker room, leaving Zane alone when his expression turn into serious.
'Count on it.' Zane thought, noticed that there was a photo on the floor as he then picked it up, looking at the photo that has Espada and Haruko. He was now confused as to why would Espada have that and how does it connected with the two girls.
Tenbi Academy
All of Tenbi students then gathered outside of the school grounds since the first match of Hime-Kagura was about to begin while those who aren't participate will have to watch on the sideline which both Himegami and Garrett didn't like it, they would rather compete than just watch. Haruko and Takeru were watching since they knew that they don't want them to get careless.
"Alright then~, all students should step out of the school grounds and gather in front of the giant monitor, please." Minori announces. "Starting from now, the match will be monitored on the screen. Please follow the team members and their points of location."
'You guys can't let your guard down just because this is a game event. Your opponent's that person...' Haruko mentally thought with worry.
Meanwhile, Azuki and Zane were stretching since the two were the attackers for the Pole Toppling match while Kurigasa was the defense, standing next to the wooden pillar.
"The last time I saw Kurigasa's power was in April...Takeru also haven't seen it after the battle with Venus." Azuki said with a smirk, earned their attention as she then turn to him. "How far have you grown? You'll show me today."
"And here I wanted to sail the safe ship." Kurigasa said with a smile, laughing when Furan shot a arrow toward the ground.
Furan was at the top of the school building, carrying a bow since she's the sniper only because of her accuracy.
"Even a mere arrow can reach across the grounds from here." Furan said with her calm tone, sighed.
"In this match of Pole Toppling, located at the ends of Academy are poles and the very top is marked with a red line. The first to reach it from the bottom will be the winner." Minori explains. "The only ones who can inflict damage on the poles are attackers. Snipers, please keep that in mind. Defense is the only one who can touch his/her respective teams pole."
"Alright! Shall we, Zane?" Azuki asks with a smile.
"Lets." Zane answered.
"Then on you mark...Start!" Minori yelled.
(Demetori-Desire Drive~Desire Dream)
With that, the Shinatsu siblings then rush towards the school grounds to get to the enemies territory which it won't be an easy one. However, Zane knew something was off about the third-years as he spoke.
"Azuki, Espada will be the attacker since she's a swordswoman. I'll take care of her since this going to be two-on-two." Zane told her sister. "Otohime might be weak, but she's no fool. She'll likely keep her distance. Hoshii on the other hand, she might be lazy when it comes to physical work or anything, but she can fight whenever she wants. I'll leave her to you."
"That may be true between Otohime and Hoshii since they're probably the weaker ones of the four in terms of physical strength." Azuki agrees. "But for me to handle it alone-"
Before she about to finish her sentence, Zane then began to push his sister out of the way when he notice Hoshii was coming their way.
"Thunder Barret" Zane then unleash the string of lightning to shock Hoshii, leaving her scream in pain.
"Thanks." Azuki thanked her brother, earned a nod from him. "What the hell, I thought she's weak."
"She was, but I don't think that's the case." Zane told her.
"Dammit! That hurt!" Hoshii yelled. "I outta up my medical fees. They ain't matching my needs."
'Could've fooled us.' Azuki and Zane thought in unison, sweat dropped.
"Okay, so she was able gain elevation like I can, but that won't make any difference." Azuki said seriously.
"Azuki, you gotta remember, they're third-years, but they also wield the Original Eight Maken like Haruko and Furan." Zane told her, leaving her shocked. "As far as I know, those third-years are no fooling around."
They then turned to see Espada walking towards the Shinatsu siblings.
"I'm impressed, attacking Hoshii with your lightning element while protecting your sister. As expected of you." Espada compliments, blushing. "But still, I can't believe you two are off having fun all by yourselves. Let me on it, too."
Zane then gave her a scowl which for reason, Espada gets turned on when her body trembles from his intense stare.
'Those eyes of his, it's burning with flames and yet, fierce. I can tell he's indeed like a lion and I can tell he's ready to fight.' Espada thought with a blush.
Zane then readied his fighting stance while Espada readied hers.
The two then charge each other as they then began to reel their fists back and thrust them they are in range into each other that cause a powerful shockwave blowing everything around them away for a moment as they entered a power struggle trying to push one another back, but they were in a stalemate as the shockwave dies down.
"Holy crap! These guys are showing off their power! How insane!" Takeru exclaims shockingly.
"Impressive, you've manage to survive the first blow." Espada grunted with a smile.
"This isn't my first rodeo. And flattery will get you nowhere." Zane commented.
They pulled their fist out of the struggle and Espada then throws another fist, but was blocked as Zane then counters with a punch to the gut, leaving her coughing while Zane delivers a knee to the face and spinning heel kick. She stumbled a bit as Zane then rush behind her, grabbing her waist while delivering a German Suplex.
"Nice one!" Azuki said with a smirk.
Zane then stood up as he then look at Espada, leaving her stood up.
"Give up?" Zane rhetorically questions with a smirk.
"Just when things are about to get interesting, not a chance." Espada said, spit her blood out of her mouth. "Tell me, how is it that you're able to counter?"
"Sorry, that's for you to figure it out." Zane told her.
With that, Espada then charge after him which he was ready for her attack, but failed to realize that she was twirling her body while about to thrust her fist, making it like she carries a rapier.
"Splits" Espada then thrust her fist to his stomach, sent him flying towards the river.
"Zane!" Azuki called her brother, looking at Espada with a scowl.
"Oh...Oh no! Zane just got the skipping stone treatment!" Chacha said, trembling.
"Shit, Zane just got knocked out!" Kengo cursed.
"Don't worry, it'll take more than that to knock him out." Takeru assures him seriously. "We've seen how he can fight when back is against the wall."
Kengo then realize that he's right about Zane which he did saw him fight against Yan a few months ago. That fight was intense and Zane have held his ground by fighting against Yan. Takeru have seen Zane fight against strong opponents many times and this fight is no different since the time he work with the pervert together fighting against Yamato.
Aki then approaches Minori as she spoke.
"You look pretty restless, are you?" Aki asks, notice Minori's leg shaking.
"It's not that. What I'm concerned about is..."
Minori then began explaining about Takeru's condition and his Maken 'Blood Pointer' which it is powerful, but it has a downside. A downside is when Takeru uses Blood Pointer, his blood gushes out whenever he uses and shorten his lifespan which he used it during the fight against Yamato and when he got angry about what Akaya did. I f he continues you use the Blood Pointer ability, he'll die. When she finished her explanation, Aki was shocked about Takeru's condition which it explains about it.
Meanwhile, Azuki was able to hold Espada off with her counters and parry thanks to her training session with her brother, but she won't be able to hold her for long. Azuki then take a few steps back as she then look at her.
"You've gotten stronger, but you won't beat us by yourself." Espada told her seriously.
"What are saying, Espada?" Azuki questions with a smirk as she then leap over. "There are two of us."
Espada was shocked that Azuki was still holding on, but Zane was able to recover in time as he then leap towards her.
Azuki then deliver a roundhouse kick to Espada in a stomach while Zane spins his body, delivering a heel kick to Espada, slamming her to the ground. Hoshii was shocked of seeing Espada getting knocked out which resulted her unconscious.
"Phew, she give us a tough fight." Azuki said. "Not that we can handle."
"Let's not get ahead of ourselves, we still have to take care of Hoshii." Zane stated.
"I'll take care of that." Azuki told him. "Go on ahead, I'll stay here and take care of them."
"Are you sure about this?" Zane questions.
"I wouldn't worry about that. Besides, Espada is out-cold which it's enough for me." Azuki answered. "Now get going, I'll be fine!"
Zane didn't like the idea of leaving his sister behind since she was able to hold off Espada's attacks which left her bruised a bit, but she's no stranger to fighting since she gained more endurance and well adept in hand-to-hand combat thanks to him as he spoke.
"Alright, but be careful." Zane told her sister, earned a nod from her as he then head towards the wooden pole.
Furan can see very far which she's impressed of Zane's combat prowess and Azuki's quick reflexes. However, she was worried about the two since they were able to knock out Espada, but wondering how Azuki would fight Hoshii.
"They've got a Espada knocked out when Zane and Azuki work together to take her down. And Zane was heading towards the pole while Azuki stayed behind to take care of Hoshii, that's the plan huh?" Komi asks with an impressed smile, causing Koushi burst with laughter.
"This match of Pole Toppling is 4-against-4. On top of that, only the two assigned attackers are allowed to come in contact with the opponents pole. The defenders are the only ones who can touch their home pole which is why they shouldn't move far from the pole. For snipers, there's a rule that they must stay in a fixed location and distant from the poles no matter which team they belong to. So with that, it's a showdown between attackers! The two from the winning attackers side can then conveniently take down the opponents pole!" Koushi explains.
"However, right when they knock one of the other teams attacker, one of them remain to keep the opponent attacker occupied while the other head towards the opponents pole." Jin added seriously, placing a cigarette on his mouth while light it. "Zane may not like the idea, but there's no other option if they want to win."
"True, but Zane doesn't want to leave her behind since he knew that Hoshii is strong." Komi stated. "If I recall, she should be an A~B Class Maken user. Hoshii was like an utter monster."
Meanwhile, the members of Maken-Ki watch Azuki counter off Hoshii's attack when she elbowed her in the face and slam her to the ground which she was able to hold her off.
"Dammit! Should've known that Zane would come into play." Otohime growled with annoyance, earned their attention.
"Why are you here, Otohime Yamato?" Takeru questions with a scowl.
"I was going to watch your companions die, but it seems the fun was ruined." Otohime answered.
"What are you doing!? Aren't you in charge of sniping?" Kengo exclaimed when the members of Maken-Ki surrounds her.
"There won't even be a need for me." Otohime answered with a smug. "Can you please not crowd around me like this? It'll raise a dust cloud. If you lay a hand on me, you should know what will happen because of the magical contract, right? It's just a game, so we won't be desperate like you guys. That said, Zane Shinatsu was powerful he was able to fight off against my grandfather and Yamato since his powers are off the charts, it's ridiculous. The defender can't move because he has to guard the pole and so he makes the meathead monkey a sacrificial pawn. They may knocked Espada out, but it's still pointless. No one can topple the pole guarded by Kaijru."
"Even if you say it's just a game, you do understand, right?" Himegami questions with a scowl, earned her attention. "The condition that you'll have to reveal your master's location if you lose. On top of that, he's not abandoning his sister or anything."
"You shouldn't count us out." Takeru added. "You shouldn't count Zane either because he can fight them and head on, so can Azuki."
Meanwhile, Hoshii was about had enough as she was about to deliver a kick to Azuki, but she countered when she grabbed her leg and tossed her.
"Platinum Strike" Azuki then began to use her combo of punches and kicks, sent her flying towards the wall and knocked her out. She then sighed while dusting her hands. "Done and done. Phew now then, all I can do right now is rest up and wait."
Zane have made his way towards the wooden pole, but failed to notice that Kaijru was guarding the pole because of her sheer size. He would try and attack her, but it won't do him any good because she would counter his attacks which Kamiagri isn't making things easier.
'Okay, I wasn't expecting that, but if I remember, Jin warned me about her using a body manipulation which she shift her body as she wants.' Zane mentally thought, but he won't be able to have time to think when Kajiru then stretched her hand to hit him. He manage to dodge it as he us his hand to aim at her.
"Mystic Flurry" Zane fires multiple ice bullets at Kaijur which she blocking them with her arm, but got shocked whenever she blocks.
"Fulsillade" Zane then fires four magical projectiles forward by string of lighting, leaving her shocked a bit.
'Shit, This isn't working! I've gotta think of something else!?' Zane mentally shouted when he noticed that Kaijru then wraps her legs, twisting her body around the wooden pole. 'That's not good!'
"Body Art: Top Twister" Kaijru then spins her arms around, sent Zane flying when he got hit.
'Damn it! It's like I'm walking into a tornado! Her speed was on par with Espada! Wait a minute...I've got it!' Zane mentally shouts when he came up with an idea.
"Revolver Drive" Zane then surrounds himself with a red aura as he then began to take flight up in the sky while descending down towards her.
"Aerial Circle" Zane spins around vertically while surrounding himself with red orbs.
When he got close enough, Kaijru was about to counter him, but failed to realize that the orbs have detonate her as he then delivers an axe-kick to the head, leaving her dazed.
"Blasting Zone" Zane slams his fist to the ground, sending a field of energy towards her as she then got knocked out.
"Oops, I forgot to say 'Timber'." Zane joked as he then knocked the wooden pole down to the ground.
(Music Ends)
"The match is over! Kamigari's Pole mark hit the ground! The winner is: Team Tenbi!" Minori announces.
The students of Tenbi and members of Maken-Ki then cheered for their victory. Zane then rush to his sister to see if she holds out, but it seems that Azuki was able to beat Hoshii. She then turned to her brother while Kurigasa then rush towards the siblings with a smile.
"Looks like we've won." Kai said.
"Yep, sounds like it." Azuki nods with a smirk as she turned to her brother. "Nice job, Zane."
"You too, Azuki." Zane nods, fist bumping as he then turned to Kurigasa. "Sorry that you miss the action."
"Ah don't worry about, I'm not worried." Kurigasa shrugs. "Besides, I figured that you've gotten stronger and you two were able to take them down, no problem."
"Damn right, because we're Maken-Ki!" Azuki stated, pumping her fist.
Otohime wasn't pleased of the result which she didn't know that Zane was able to take Kaijru down. Even though, Zane was more than just a fighter, he's a tactician since he can up with a strategy before he can fight and head-on. However, Otohime may have a trick under sleeve since she won't lose to Tenbi in another round.
Inaho was happy that Team Tenbi won this round, but it'll get tougher for the next round. She then look at Takeru, had a feeling that the time has come for Kabuto to return to its rightful owner since the only option for that is: to call Takeru's father.
That's it for the 41st chapter.