---- Chapter 24: After the Battle - Shinrai's Teachings ----
It's now been over three months since the Reikai-Kakumei were defeated. The Tantei have been given time off, and things have been going smoothly for some time now.
After the battle, a tearful reunion took place at Reikai when the newly-revived Keyaku greeted his sister again, holding her close to him after Botan had sorrowfully escorted him to the afterlife. Koenma explained that he'd resurrected Keyaku as penance for his father's crimes, after the evil monarch was defeated once and for all.
Hitai and Taisho disappeared, but rumor has it that they're staying in their hometown to recover from the battle.
Jason Henderson, the master of Kaeshiken-ryuu, left without a word to anyone. It's said that he's off training his skills for the next time he crosses paths with a Tantei.
Bujin Waraji, the former swordmaster for the Reikai-Kakumei, is working hard as a new Reikai Tantei. He claims that he only joined to help his fellow man, but his fury at losing to Tsuki during the tournament is evident....
Kosame disappeared after the battle, but she's still training her skills off somewhere....
Hazumi is hard at work as always, picking up the slack for the rest of her fellow Tantei.
Kiyou is off training in a remote corner of Makai, hoping for a chance to someday fight his idol, Jaganshi Hiei....
Kamasu Shiba, master martial artist of the Reikai-Kakumei, returned to his family in Taiwan, and has opened up a restaurant in his hometown.
Hishi Kashira, wielder of the Tonfa, is working with Bujin in a new Reikai Tantei unit, together with a couple of other warriors.
Tsuki Odori, master swordsman, has recently been looking to sharpen his fist-fighting skills. It just so happens that he has an excellent teacher....
=== Reikai - Training Hall ===
"You're late again, Tsuki," snapped Shinrai, clad in a martial arts Gi, as Tsuki entered the room. Bowing respectfully, Tsuki replied, "I am sorry, sir.... I had a late mission."
Sighing, Shinrai walked towards Tsuki, saying, "Time for some basic grapples. Show me what you can do, first." With that, he hurled a punch at his student, which was caught with both Tsuki's arms. Untwisting his arms, Tsuki grasped Shinrai's arm roughly and slammed him into the ground. Heaving noticeably, Tsuki said, "That.... was my Reverse Screw." As Shinrai got up, he mused, "Not bad.... still, some room for improvement. The grapple was too light - anyone could have gotten out of it in time to counterattack. Try it again." And, as expected, Shinrai threw another punch, which was caught in the same fashion. Just as Tsuki began to untwist his arms, Shinrai flipped behind him, breaking the other boy's hold while firmly wrapping his arms around Tsuki's waist, blocking his arms from moving.
"Break out from this, if you can," said Shinrai, as Tsuki struggled to escape. With a sigh, Shinrai said, "No? Then feel my Backbreaker Mallet." Jumping up into the air, still clutching Tsuki, he spun around, drilling into the ground like it was nothing and leaving his student embedded in the floor. Standing up, Shinrai remarked, "The proper way to escape would be to kick the opponent's legs out from under him, and counter with a throwing technique. Still, you showed admirable force in trying to escape."
Tsuki pulled himself out of the small crater in the ground, and spat blood out to one side. Bowing again, he said passively, "Sorry, sir." Letting out a sigh, Shinrai waved his hand. "Forget it. Time to move on. Now, onto special techniques. Try a Reikou Shou, just like I'd taught you."
Nodding, Tsuki held out his hand, feeling the aura flowing freely into his fist as he clenched it. Pulling back, his arm nestled comfortably at his side, as his hand began to glow bright red.
"Remember," Shinrai said, "that the Reikou Shou is similar to a Rei Gun - you must concentrate on charging up the attack at all times, disregarding your opponent. That can be fatal if the opponent is faster than you. However, the Reikou Shou is quite versatile, able to be used as either a melee or ranged attack. Try a Reikou Shou Dan attack - hurl the energy at me while pulling a 'trigger' in your mind."
As the attack finished charging, Tsuki shouted, "Reikou Shou Dan!!!" and thrust his fist forward, sending a large blast of red light at Shinrai. When the attack hit, Shinrai was knocked back slightly, but otherwise unharmed. "Not bad," remarked Shinrai, brushing away some dust caused by the attack, "But there's room for improvement. Let's try another Reikou Shou variation."
Positioning his hand at his side, Shinrai charged up, his fist glowing brightly. "The Ensatsu Reikou Shou - or, Burning Aura Fist - is a more powerful variation of the Reikou Shou. By transmuting some of your Reiki into flames, the attack's power is heightened slightly. Now, to transmute Reiki into fire, imagine your aura as being the very fires of Hell itself. Then, siphon that aura...." As he spoke, a bright red aura surrounded him, as his fist became engulfed in flames. ".... into your Reikou Shou. Thus, a new attack is born. Try it on me."
Tsuki copied Shinrai's movements, as he imagined his aura of Hellfire. His red aura tripled in size, as his hand was covered with fire. Yelling out, "Ensatsu Reikou Shou!!!" Tsuki slammed his fist into Shinrai's chest, causing no reaction from his teacher, but causing the ground underneath him to collapse upon itself. As he jumped back, panting heavily, Shinrai congratulated him. "Well done. You had excellent form.... Just as good as mine. You're making yourself out to be a fine student." Grinning, Tsuki bowed again. "Thank you, sir."
Shinrai suddenly turned to leave, and Tsuki extended a hand to stop him. "S-Sir?" Without turning around, Shinrai said calmly, "I have some business to attend to.... Take care of the unit while I'm gone." And with that, he walked out the door.
".... Shinrai-sama...."
=== Deep in Makai ===
In a cabin deep in the dark recesses of Makai, a man smirked, sipping tea lightly.
"So.... it's begun.... I wonder if he'll make it to his final test.... ?"
It's now been over three months since the Reikai-Kakumei were defeated. The Tantei have been given time off, and things have been going smoothly for some time now.
After the battle, a tearful reunion took place at Reikai when the newly-revived Keyaku greeted his sister again, holding her close to him after Botan had sorrowfully escorted him to the afterlife. Koenma explained that he'd resurrected Keyaku as penance for his father's crimes, after the evil monarch was defeated once and for all.
Hitai and Taisho disappeared, but rumor has it that they're staying in their hometown to recover from the battle.
Jason Henderson, the master of Kaeshiken-ryuu, left without a word to anyone. It's said that he's off training his skills for the next time he crosses paths with a Tantei.
Bujin Waraji, the former swordmaster for the Reikai-Kakumei, is working hard as a new Reikai Tantei. He claims that he only joined to help his fellow man, but his fury at losing to Tsuki during the tournament is evident....
Kosame disappeared after the battle, but she's still training her skills off somewhere....
Hazumi is hard at work as always, picking up the slack for the rest of her fellow Tantei.
Kiyou is off training in a remote corner of Makai, hoping for a chance to someday fight his idol, Jaganshi Hiei....
Kamasu Shiba, master martial artist of the Reikai-Kakumei, returned to his family in Taiwan, and has opened up a restaurant in his hometown.
Hishi Kashira, wielder of the Tonfa, is working with Bujin in a new Reikai Tantei unit, together with a couple of other warriors.
Tsuki Odori, master swordsman, has recently been looking to sharpen his fist-fighting skills. It just so happens that he has an excellent teacher....
=== Reikai - Training Hall ===
"You're late again, Tsuki," snapped Shinrai, clad in a martial arts Gi, as Tsuki entered the room. Bowing respectfully, Tsuki replied, "I am sorry, sir.... I had a late mission."
Sighing, Shinrai walked towards Tsuki, saying, "Time for some basic grapples. Show me what you can do, first." With that, he hurled a punch at his student, which was caught with both Tsuki's arms. Untwisting his arms, Tsuki grasped Shinrai's arm roughly and slammed him into the ground. Heaving noticeably, Tsuki said, "That.... was my Reverse Screw." As Shinrai got up, he mused, "Not bad.... still, some room for improvement. The grapple was too light - anyone could have gotten out of it in time to counterattack. Try it again." And, as expected, Shinrai threw another punch, which was caught in the same fashion. Just as Tsuki began to untwist his arms, Shinrai flipped behind him, breaking the other boy's hold while firmly wrapping his arms around Tsuki's waist, blocking his arms from moving.
"Break out from this, if you can," said Shinrai, as Tsuki struggled to escape. With a sigh, Shinrai said, "No? Then feel my Backbreaker Mallet." Jumping up into the air, still clutching Tsuki, he spun around, drilling into the ground like it was nothing and leaving his student embedded in the floor. Standing up, Shinrai remarked, "The proper way to escape would be to kick the opponent's legs out from under him, and counter with a throwing technique. Still, you showed admirable force in trying to escape."
Tsuki pulled himself out of the small crater in the ground, and spat blood out to one side. Bowing again, he said passively, "Sorry, sir." Letting out a sigh, Shinrai waved his hand. "Forget it. Time to move on. Now, onto special techniques. Try a Reikou Shou, just like I'd taught you."
Nodding, Tsuki held out his hand, feeling the aura flowing freely into his fist as he clenched it. Pulling back, his arm nestled comfortably at his side, as his hand began to glow bright red.
"Remember," Shinrai said, "that the Reikou Shou is similar to a Rei Gun - you must concentrate on charging up the attack at all times, disregarding your opponent. That can be fatal if the opponent is faster than you. However, the Reikou Shou is quite versatile, able to be used as either a melee or ranged attack. Try a Reikou Shou Dan attack - hurl the energy at me while pulling a 'trigger' in your mind."
As the attack finished charging, Tsuki shouted, "Reikou Shou Dan!!!" and thrust his fist forward, sending a large blast of red light at Shinrai. When the attack hit, Shinrai was knocked back slightly, but otherwise unharmed. "Not bad," remarked Shinrai, brushing away some dust caused by the attack, "But there's room for improvement. Let's try another Reikou Shou variation."
Positioning his hand at his side, Shinrai charged up, his fist glowing brightly. "The Ensatsu Reikou Shou - or, Burning Aura Fist - is a more powerful variation of the Reikou Shou. By transmuting some of your Reiki into flames, the attack's power is heightened slightly. Now, to transmute Reiki into fire, imagine your aura as being the very fires of Hell itself. Then, siphon that aura...." As he spoke, a bright red aura surrounded him, as his fist became engulfed in flames. ".... into your Reikou Shou. Thus, a new attack is born. Try it on me."
Tsuki copied Shinrai's movements, as he imagined his aura of Hellfire. His red aura tripled in size, as his hand was covered with fire. Yelling out, "Ensatsu Reikou Shou!!!" Tsuki slammed his fist into Shinrai's chest, causing no reaction from his teacher, but causing the ground underneath him to collapse upon itself. As he jumped back, panting heavily, Shinrai congratulated him. "Well done. You had excellent form.... Just as good as mine. You're making yourself out to be a fine student." Grinning, Tsuki bowed again. "Thank you, sir."
Shinrai suddenly turned to leave, and Tsuki extended a hand to stop him. "S-Sir?" Without turning around, Shinrai said calmly, "I have some business to attend to.... Take care of the unit while I'm gone." And with that, he walked out the door.
".... Shinrai-sama...."
=== Deep in Makai ===
In a cabin deep in the dark recesses of Makai, a man smirked, sipping tea lightly.
"So.... it's begun.... I wonder if he'll make it to his final test.... ?"