Chapter 23

Ranma looked at the short man with surprise. While Ranma knew that it would ultimately be up to Happosai to decide on creating a new branch, he didn't think that the old man would have done it without him doing some embarrassing in his girl form. He did not sense any deception from the man and was wondering what the hell was going on. He wasn't the only one as the Tendos and Genma was listening in on what the two was talking about. When they heard what Happosai told him, they all had different reactions. Kasumi and Nabiki were surprised but happy for Ranma. Soun was weeping while Genma and Akane were angry.

Happosai chuckled at the pig-tailed boy and motioned him to sit. The two sat and faced each other.

"I like the direction that you're going in boy. I've read some of the manuals that you have created and I can say that you have some good ideas on what you what to do. You are also combining your aerial form with a very good ground form. I can see several people wanting to learn such a style." Happosai said with honesty.

"Thanks, I guess." Ranma said, completely confused.

"Still, I am the founder of the Musabetsu Kakutō Ryū and while you have a good foundation, you haven't sold me on it. What I believe must happen is that you show me what you can do with what you know already. So, I have a friend who owes me a favor and I called him on it. In three weeks, there will be a full contact tournament close to Kaminoyama Castle. Many people compete in this and from all nations. If you enter this tournament and win, I will agree to allow you to create another branch of the Musabetsu Kakutō Ryū."

"If I lose?" Ranma asked.

"Then you keep on going about your creating your style and you will have to find another way to prove to me that I should allow your branch. Sound fair?" Happosai said.

"Yeah, I can live with that. You're not so bad for a pervert." Ranma said.

"I'm glad you feel that way." Happosai said before splashing Ranma with cold water. "SWEETO!" he exclaimed and jumped toward her chest. Ranma quickly punted him through the roof and into the skyline. Ranma sighed and went to get some hot water and some lumber.

XXX

Ranma was sweating a lot. Since Happosai told him about this tournament, Ranma had been working extra hard. Even Tofu was teaching him some stuff that he learned when he was traveling. Kasumi was very supportive of Ranma's training a helped out as much as she could. Nabiki was also supportive but it was because if he won, it would be a big boon for her. Happosai mention that there would be betting and that she was allowed to come with him and Ranma. Ranma's boxing coach and Aikido instructor helped him as well. Kodachi and Shampoo were a big help as well, often coming by to give him a challenge.

The only ones who were not as supportive were Genma, Soun and Akane. Genma and Soun would constantly bother Happosai about changing his mind. When the old man would not budge on his decision, they confronted Ranma and tried to get him hurt before the tournament. Happosai put an end to that quickly and the two men were dealt with. Akane didn't do anything but she would growl, scoff and make snide remarks about it. The fact that Shampoo and Kodachi was helping him was not a happy moment for her. She would never admit it but she was jealous at the fact that Ranma was gaining such attention from everybody.

Ranma just continued to train and couldn't help but wonder what was in store for him when he arrived at the tournament.

XXX

Ranma, Happosai and Nabiki had arrived in Kaminoyama, Yamagata by noon. It was just the three of them as Kasumi had something to do, Akane refusing to come and the fathers' being banned from coming. The trio followed the crowd who was piling into the outside area to see the tournament. Ranma noticed that Nabiki was looking around the place as if she was trying to find something. Apparently she found it and he sighed when he saw that it was a betting station. His attention was brought to Happosai who had just come back from signing Ranma into the tournament.

"So, what can you tell me about this tournament?" Ranma asked.

"It's a pretty well-known tournament. Like I said before, there are a lot of martial arts here, both foreign and domestic. Some fighters have special abilities that they like to use, which is allowed in this tournament." Happosai said.

"Special abilities?" Ranma asked in confusion.

"Like your Neko-ken (Cat Fist), there are some that have a similar ability like that. Truth be told, you may be forced to use that if you make it through the prelims." Happosai said.

"I figured as much seeing the competitors." Ranma said. They continued walking until they reached the dressing area.

"Okay my boy, this is where we part. I'm looking forward to see what you can do. Just do you best." Happosai said. The old man turned and made his way to find Nabiki. Ranma looked at the dressing room and let out a breath. He entered the dressing room.

XXX

Ranma, now dressed in some new clothes that was made by Kasumi (Yang's outfit from Street Fighter), entered one of the eight rings that were there. After getting dressed and checked by officials, he was directed to ring 'D'. He looked around at the competition that was a part of his ring. He could see that there were some skilled individuals and was a little excited to test himself. He then turned his attention to the announcer with the microphone.

"Welcome, fighters and spectators, to the twenty-fourth annual Kaminoyama Castle Marital Arts Tournament! This is a full contact event where we see some full-throttle action!" He said. The crowd cheered for a while before he spoke again. "For you new entries, I will explain the rules to you. Every contestant has been divided into these eight rings where you will all duke it out until there is only two left. The two from each ring will then compete in the finals until there is one winner. That winner will walk away with 480100 yen (Five Thousand U. S.)! Alright then, let the tournament begin!" The crowd cheered.

XXX

Ranma was laying his head back and took some calming breaths. He was a little bruised but nothing too serious. He was very surprised at how hard a tournament was. He had seen a lot of them during his travels but he never entered any because his father had said that it was worthless and true martial artists didn't do that. He should have ignored the old man and joined one. It was a very different experience that fighting rivals. It made him realize that he was not as good as his father had hyped him up to be.

In his ring there were thirty-two competitors, all with a different style. His first match was against a user of Shotokan Karate. It was not that difficult of a match as he knocked the guy out using his speed and combinations. His second match was against a man from Brazil. He wore a symbol that had the name 'Gracie' on it. This was a very tough match as the guy attempted to get him to the ground and choke him out. Lucky for him he was able to escape his attempts and use his Aikido to make him submit. His third match was against someone from Hong Kong. Now, that was a match that got everyone going. He won because he was much more superior in aerial combat despite the guy knowing Wushu.

He had just finished his fourth match. It was against another Karate practitioner who studied Kyokushin. He had an easy time with him because of the similarities with the guy from his first match. He had four more fights to go so that he could get to the finals. His branch was depending on it.

XXX

Happosai watched as Ranma fought his sixth opponent. He was very impressed with the pig-tailed boy. He wasn't too surprised as he always thought that Genma was the more superior martial artist between him and Soun. Genma was so dedicated to the art and he passed that dedication to his son. The only difference between the two was that Ranma went about it the right way. While Genma was a strong martial artist, he didn't pass along his teachings to anyone else. He taught Soun and Genma his art because he believed that the two would spread it. He was so wrong about that.

Watching Ranma, he felt that his school could be redeemed. Ranma looked like the type of person who would spread the brilliance of the Musabetsu Kakutō Ryū and it would be a much stronger version of the Musabetsu Kakutō Ryū. He looked on as Ranma won his sixth match and was very happy for the boy. He could see that he was a little beaten up but that was to be expected. He turned to his left to see Nabiki collect her money. She was even doing a little happy dance as she looked at the wad of cash.

Happosai turned back to the tournament.

XXX

"Kachū Tenshin Amaguriken (Imperial Roasting Chestnuts in the Fire Fist)!" Ranma roared and launched his opponent from out of the ring. He took a breath and relaxed. The referee came up to him and raised his hand.

"Winner, Ranma Saotome! Ranma Saotome moves on to the finals!" the referee said. Ranma cheered and bowed at his opponent and the referee. He got out of the ring and made his way over to Happosai and Nabiki. Nabiki hugged Ranma, which surprised him.

"You are a godsend! Look at how much I've won!" Nabiki exclaimed.

"Is that all I'm good for?" Ranma asked with a frown.

"No, that's not all. You're also good for comical relief." Nabiki said with a grin. Ranma just sighed at the middle Tendo. He turned to Happosai who looked at him.

"How are you feeling Ranma?" Happosai asked.

"Not too bad, a little banged up. I didn't think that it would be so difficult." Ranma said.

"You haven't been fighting any real talent. You're usual tactics would not work here. Still, I am impressed at how far you have made it. Still, do not get cocky. The real tournament begins now." Happosai said. Ranma just nodded and waited. It didn't take long for all the fights to be done. The announcer came up again and was holding a microphone.

"Was that not some great fights everybody? Let's giving up for everyone who did not make the cut! They gave their all in this tournament!" Everyone clapped and cheered for those who had participated. "Now, we are down to sixteen fighters who will compete for the prize money. Here is how the brackets will be." He said and a digital broad appeared. It cycled the names for a good while before coming to a stop. Ranma saw that he would be fighting third and that his opponent would be someone called Geo Hikari. Unseen by Ranma, Happosai had a small concerned look on his face. He quickly hid it when Ranma turned to him.

"So, what is your opinion of this guy?" Ranma asked.

"Like I said, do not get cocky." Happosai said. Ranma nodded and made his way over to the main ring. Nabiki looked at the old man with a curious look.

"Something wrong old perv?" Nabiki asked.

"Nothing really, I just didn't expect Ranma to fight someone so tough out the gate. I've been watching this Geo and he's very good. I don't think Ranma will win this one." Happosai said. That surprised Nabiki a bit.

"You're kidding right?" Nabiki asked. She saw the look on Happosai and realized that he was not kidding. "Are you worried that he will get hurt?"

"No, it isn't that. I'm more concerned about how he will act. I see much of Genma in him. He has a lot of pride and if wounded, he could greatly take a step back in his dreams." Happosai said. He then saw Nabiki sigh in relief.

"Okay, I wouldn't worry too much about that. Yeah, he's Genma's son but he isn't Genma, not as much. If he does lose, I don't believe that he would do anything to dishonor himself. If anything, this will push him forward." Nabiki said. Happosai looked at her with some trepidation but he decided to wait and see if the girl was right.

XXX

Ranma was standing in front of his opponent and was waiting for the announcer to speak. He observed his opponent. He was wearing a pair of sneakers, a pair of black sweat pants, a black t-shirt and a pair of blue boxing gloves. He was wondering if the guy practiced Boxing but he put in the back of his mind as the announcer began to speak.

"This is the third match of the finals. In the white corner, is a new face to the tournament and one of the youngest at sixteen years of age. He is a practitioner of the Musabetsu Kakutō Ryū. Coming from the Nerima ward of Tokyo, Ranma Saotome!" Everyone clapped and cheered for the young sixteen year old. "In the red corner, is a familiar face and also another of the youngest in this tournament at seventeen years of age. He almost won last year with his incredible moves and techniques. He is known as the Kajiarashi (Firestorm), coming from the Minato ward of Tokyo, Geo Hikari!" the crowd cheered for the teen. The referee called the two over and they were face to face with each other.

"Alright boys, keep this fight clean and fair. No illegal blows or outside inference. The match ends by either knock out, submission; ring out or by my decision. You will obey my orders at all times. Is that understood?"

"Yes, sir." The two said. The referee backed them up and got ready to start the match. Ranma saw that he was bounce on his toes and was moving like a boxer. Ranma did the same and was waiting for the buzzer. When it sounded, the two moved toward each other. They touched gloves and got ready to fight.

XXXXX

Author's Notes: Here you go guys, an all-new chapter. This turned out to be a lot longer than I expected. Anyway, I have this to mention. The chapter, Geo Hikari, does not belong to me. User name, gh152, gave me this character to use. I would like to thank him for the character and I would like for him to send me a message about the character because something happened to my e-mail and it got deleted. Anyway, please enjoy the new chapter.