Chapter 4 Boy meets Teacher, Oh-Boy
"I'm sorry about Father Lee-san. Father can be so… emotional." apologized Kasumi as she handed DongChang a cup of tea. As the little confusion come to a close, everybody finally settled down around the dinner table to have a little chat with their new guest.
"Oh, don't worry. I'm sure you didn't mean to," 'as much as I can throw a panda,' DongChang irritably thought. "I'm sorry for the misunderstanding; it was quite careless of me. I never thought Tendo-san would act so…happy."
"I wouldn't say happy was the right word," Nabiki pointed out as her father laughs nervously.
"Hah ha hah, well, that is..." Soun was lost for word when everyone was paying closely to him, being the center of attention of course. He then bows his head showing how ashamed he was. "I'm very sorry for my action."
"Don't worry about. It's fine, really."
"Yes well," Soun politely clear his throat before speaking. "Since the matters had been settled, I believe it's time for dinner. Would you care to join us eh…"
"Lee, DongChang. You can call me Lee if you want."
"Right, Lee-san, I know it isn't much but I would be honored if you would join us."
"Thank Tendo-san but that won't be necessary."
"Nonsense, I insist."
"But I—"
"I insist!" interrupted Soun. "In the name of the Tendo School, such dishonor can't be overlooked in our humble home. Yes! It would be a disgrace!" Soun babbled in tears.
"Maybe you can help me in another way." DongChang dipped his hand into his pocket and took out a small folded paper. "You see, the person who hired me asked that I look for a young man who, by coincident, is living in this very house."
Soun felt a bit wary where this is going but kept his bearings. "And pry tell who might that person be?"
Dongchang ponders and placed a hand behind his head. "I believe his name is Ranma… I think."
Soun immediately flinched. His hair has flared straight up like blazing fire and his body produced a heavily surge of dark aura around him. "SAAOOOTOOOOMEEEEEE!"
"Hah ha ha ha. N-now Tendo. I'm sure he is not talking about the boy. There could be lots of people named Ranma around here."
"Now where did it say- ah, here it is!" Dongchang cried out reading the piece of paper. "His name is Saotome, Ranma."
Sweat started rolling down Genma's forehead. "What? There could be other Saotome family."
"With the same first AND last name?" deadpanned Soun.
"It's a rather uncommon name..." Ranma groused.
"Quite boy!" Grabbing his son, Genma dragged him in front of the young man with determination in his eyes. "Now boy, tell me, have you ever seen him before? Does he look familiar? In any way, shapes or forms? Anything at all?"
"…No, I cannot say I have."
"You see Tendo, just a big mishap?"
"But I got a description of him." Dongchang took out another piece of paper. "He should be about 5.8', has black hair in a pigtail, grayish eyes, often wears a red Chinese shirt and kung-fu pants, hates cats, should be in the coming age of 16 or 17 right now, and is known to put his foot in his mouth. Figures Of Speech of course."
"Well, that hit the nail on the head," commented Nabiki.
"And on a side note, he turns into a beautiful young red headed girl due to a training accident for which his father, who turns into a panda, foolishly didn't bother to read the warning because he didn't learn a single word of Chinese."
"SAOTOME!" Soun exposed his dreaded demon head and grabbed Genma by the gi. "DON'T TELL ME YOU ENGAGED YOUR SON AGAIN, DID YOU?! HAVE YOU FORGOTTEN OUR PLEDGE TO JOIN THE SCHOOL?"
"N-n-no Tendo! I didn't! You gotta believe me! I never see this kid in my entire life! I swear! Tell him Boy!"
"Hey, don't drag me inta your mess!"
"Ranma! Don't tell me you're engaged to another girl! Isn't four enough?"
"Oh don't you start Akane!"
"Hmm, I wonder how much this will cost us."
"Ara, Father, please stop strangling Uncle like that. Remember your blood pressure."
Dongchang left eye began to twitch and he started to massage the temporal part of his head. For some reason he felt somewhat annoyed and exhausted at the same time. Ooh, what has he gotten himself into?
"So what did Uncle traded Ranma this time?"
"Huh?" Dongchang turned to the speaker who happens to be Nabiki Tendo.
"So, what is it? Food, a keg of sake, money, secret martial art scrolls, or all of the above?"
Dongchang stare at the middle Tendo daughter as if this was some sort of joke. "You've got to be kidding?"
"Uncle has a bad reputation."
Dongchang stared at the middle daughter a few seconds longer before answering. "Actually, I'm here to be Ranma's sensei."
The fighting in background finally stopped.
"You're… Not here about an engagement?" asked Ranma.
"Why would you expect something like that?"
"Ha ha, l-lets not confuse our guest any further" quickly said Genma changing the subject. "So boy, what school do you come from? My boy's reputation must have drawn a lot of attention. Is your school based on Ninjutsu, Shaolin, Military, Grappling, North, South, East, West? C'mon boy! Speak up!"
"Would you stop-p shaking meeeee!"
BONK!
"Genma you blundering idiot, how could you be so stupid? This boy is not here to teach Ranma any of the basis forms he already knows," said Happosai after giving Genma a good whack for his stupidity.
"Yes, that's right. So-"
"No ordinary school can compete with the Anything Goes School of Martial Arts!" continued Happosai, cutting Dongchang off from speaking. "We're the best School of Martial Arts that ever lived! He must be from The Clan of the Tribunal Warriors."
'Oh Come on! What's with these people!' DongChang thought irritably.
"The Tribunal? Master! You don't mean THE Tribunal!"
"Oh, so you heard about them too, Soun? I'm surprised, only a handful people know about them."
"Well, I heard little rumors… but that's about it."
"Hmph, figures. Now listen up, I don't like to repeat myself. So no interruption! During the early fourth century, the people who would become the Tribunal were Japan's greatest warriors. Under the order of the Emperor of Japan, five of those warriors known as "The Five Dragons" rose to fame after they slay a feared Demon.
"Unbeknownst to all, one of the warriors who had landed the killing blow had secretly struck a deal with the demon. In exchange for power, the warrior allowed the dieing demon soul to enter his body, allowing the Demon to live on. Now infused with the Demon's power, the warrior began a reign of terror throughout Japan, aided by his demon army.
"In order to defeat their former companion, the remaining four worriers traveled around the world to acquire knowledge and power strong enough to combat the Demon. Successful, they become forces of nature themselves. Their knowledge of the mystic arts allow them to perform tasks normally beyond the means of the series' Martial Art practitioners, such as manipulation of forces of nature; greatly enhanced speed and strength; and manifest their energy into creature like avatars. With their newfound power, the four heroes engaged their former comrade in battle and ended his tyranny.
"Ever since they transcended from humanity, the four warriors distance themselves from the Emperor and build their monastery out of the sight of men. Hence form the Tribunal. They have since kept constant vigil over artifacts that were thought to have been forgotten, fought during crisis of the nations, and recruit apprentices to impart their secrets though out generations."
"Wow Grandfather, I'm surprise that you know so much," said the eldest Tendo daughter.
"Yeah, how did ya know this?" Ranma asked suspiciously.
Happosai took a deep breath of his pip and positioned himself in a sage like manner.
"Ahh, I can remember it just like yesterday. I was just about Ranma's age when that fine young beautiful offered me the opportunity to join the Tribunal for the greater good. I have to admit, it was a chance of a lifetime but alas I declined her offer. Even though being a member of the Tribunal is a great honor, I find it much rewarding when I started the all powerful Anything Goes as you see today."
"In other words, they kicked ya out after finding out how much a pervert ya are."
"Shut up! How was I supposed to know flirting with the representative would have cost me my registration?"
"'FLIRTING', you were probably clinging onto her chest like a heated monkey!"
Pow!
"Hmph, and you should know better when to keep your mouth shut." Hopposai grouchily takes a deep breath from his smoke pipe after using it on his disrespectful student.
"That must be it! Lee-san must have come here to seek Ranma and bring him into his peoples' society," outburst Soun. He then magically took out a microphone and took on a dramatic pose.
"Oh, how fortunate that I live to see this day! Not only will Ranma marry my daughter in holy matrimony!" ("Likes that's gonna happen!" Ranma said in the Background) "He's going to become the pupil of the all powerful Tribunal!"
"Umm…Tendo-san…can you… let go… PLEASE?" Dongchang plead when Soun grabbed Dongchang by both shoulders, making him uncomfortable as he looked at him in teary eyes.
"Oh my dear boy, there's no need to hid it anymore. We know what you have to do.-sniff- It's quite obvious in such situation."
"You… do…?" 'I don't like where this is going.'
"Oh how fate can be so cruel. It pains me to see that the job you're about to do is quite harsh, especially for such in a tender young age."
"Okay, Timeout! Hold Everything!" Dongchang push himself away from the elder Tendo. "I don't know where you're going with this but whatever it is, it's not! Sorry but that isn't the reason why I'm here! My job is to-"
"Is to decide whether the boy is worthy of such honor. And to do so, you must do battle with Ranma in hand-to-hand combat!"
"WERE YOU EVEN LISTENING?" Dongchang exclaimed.
"Hmm, if I recalled, that's exactly how they do things," said Happosai.
"How wonderful Ranma, you must be very excited," said Kasumi.
Akane appears to be unhappy and turns her head to the side with a huff. "So the baka is going to join a secret society with a flashy background, big deal. Must be a stupid society full of perverts for all we know."
"You're just mad they didn't pick you little sis," Nabiki pointed out.
"Who asked you?"
"Well, 'm rearing ta go if ya are." Ranma got up from his seat as he heads off toward the Tendo dojo.
"Hey, wait a minute!"
Outside on the front porch, a certain black piglet appeared outside of the wooden doorway. It seemed to have caught the conversation about the Tendo's latest guest as the fathers dragged him into the Dojo Hall.
'So, a powerful organization called the Tribunal has offered Ranma a position to be their member huh?" thought the pig turned boy. 'There's no way I'm going to let Ranma surpass me that easily! If I can convince this guy to let me join the society, I'll be invincible. I'll even get the chance to become more powerful than Ranma. And when that happens… Akane can finally see I'm a much better man than him. HA HA HA HA!'
With that in mind, little P-chan scurried off into the dojo. However, when he stepped one hoof inside the doorway, what he saw didn't look like the Tendo Hall at all.
'Strange, since when did the Dojo add an indoor ice-rink?'
"Little Charlotte, you came back to mommy Azusa!"
"BWEEEEEEE!" What Ryoga didn't know, he somehow ended up in Kolkhoz High School upon one of the Golden Pairs practice sections.
'Ranma, this is all your Fault!'
Back at the Tendo Household, a bucktoothed ninja crawled out underneath a loose floorboard. "I must report this to Master Kuno at once."
"I'm telling you you're making a mistake! LET! ME! GO!"
"Now don't be like that Lee-san. We don't know how your systems work but testing new members is usually like this, right? Giving them challenges to see if their worthy for the cause," said Soun as he and Genma drag their struggled guest to the far end of the dojo. Ranma readied himself from the other end while the remaining members of the household settled down on the sideline while waiting for the match to start
"Well yeah, you can say something like that and-Wait! Don't change the subject!"
"Then there's nothing to it! The boy just needs to prove he's ability in the arts and he's in. So don't go easy on him! He needs the experience to know what he's up against," said Genma after giving Dongchang a heavy slap on back causing him to fall flat on the ground.
'This is not happening. This…is not HAPPENING!'
The fathers proceed to join the rest of the family while Happosai walks to the center playing the role as the referee.
"This match will determine Ranma's abilities under the eyes of the Representative of the Clan of the Tribunal Warriors, Lee Dongchang, if he's worthy in their circle. As the referee, there will be no intentional killing what-so-ever. Anything Goes! Ready…"
"Will you people stop and listen?"
"Fight!"
POW! THUMP!... THUMP!... BASH!
Happosai blinked twice. He followed his gaze to the far end of the hall, seeing the young man known as Lee DongChang crashed face-first into the wooden wall. The boy moaned painfully and slowly got back on his feet. Doing so caused him to wobble around dizzily until he finally collapses forward on his face once more, out cold.
"…well…that was unexpected." Happosai muttered.
"Oh Saotome, it never seem to amaze how your son has become a fine martial artist."
"Yes Tendo, you and me both. Hey, do you still have that Sake?"
"You know I always do Saotome." said Soun as he and Genma left the dojo in a merry way.
As the match ended, it left Ranma to his thought. He looked down at his fist. He open and close it a few times and looked back at his fallen opponent. Even though the match was over, Ranma doesn't look thrilled at all. When he struck the guy, he didn't expect him to skid across the hall like a rag doll and ended the match right there. He barely put that much power behind it. He felt, well…disappointed.
"Huh?" Ranma said when he felt somebody shaking his shoulder. He noticed Akane was right beside him, most have been trying to get his attention for awhile now.
"If you're done drifting into la la land, we're about to have dinner. You coming?"
"What about him?" Ranma pointed at the unconscious body.
"Kasumi is getting a futon for him," informed Nabiki passing the two. "He'll be out for awhile. All he needs is a bit of rest and he'll be fine. So, are you coming or not?"
"Y-yeah, just give me a minute."
Nabiki shrugged and head towards the door.
"What's wrong Ranma, I thought you would be happy?" said Akane.
"Yeah, I am, but… this seems so…." Ranma trailed off as he came up to the fallen form. He breathed out a tired sigh and turned back to Akane. "Don't get me wrong, but I was hoping this guy would be a real challenge. But man, it's like punching a small sandbag."
WHAM!
"OW! What the!" Ranma clutch his head from the stinging pain and turned around to encounter his attacker. What caught his vision was a fan. A LARGE steel fan that so happened to belong to the very person whose face no longer impacted on the dojo floor.
"WHO ARE YOU CALLING SHORT YA BLOOMING BASTARD! AND WHAT THE BLOODY HELL DID YOU DO THAT FOR? YOU COULD'VE KILLED ME!"
Tending to the plump on top of his head, Ranma took a good distance away. Then he set forth in a stance. 'Now that's more like it.' "Hey, what do you expect in a fight kid? For someone from a powerful society, you sure are weak."
"Don't call me a KID!"
Ranma stepped aside from another fan strike and counters with another swift kick. The attack sends Dongchang tumbling across the dojo again.
"And would you cut that out already!"
"Boy, you're pathetic. Even Akane can beat you with her hands tied up behind her back."
From the sideline, Akane is challenging a large amount of ferocious energy directly at the young Saotome. Dongchang also seemed to be building up a blazing aura of his own as he slowly rose to his feet. And as always, Ranma just can't seem to shut-up.
"It's a good thing I'm not you. If I was, I would be ashamed knowing that I was defeated by just one kick. What an embarrassment! I would have been a laughing stoke before I grow a beard!"
Dongchang clench is teeth with a great deal of irritation. "How many times do I try to tell you people? I'M NOT FROM A-"
"Yeah, yeah, I know what you're trying to do. You're angry that you were defeated so easily by a martial artist outside your caliber and decided not to let me join the Trib-what-its-name cause I'm better than ya." Ranma then turned his back to him. "Man, what a loser! I can even defeat you with my back turned and you still won't be a challenge. Come on, show me what ya got! I won't even move a muscle."
He was angry. No, make that very angry. Oh just forget it, HE WAS OUTRAGED. "Oh, I'll show you something alright." DongChang reared his steel fan back and released the attack.
"Take this! RETSUKA SHIN-EN!"
Ranma knew this would happen. In every fight, whenever he open his big mouth, he knew the guy would get so angry he would attack him in blinding rage or fire off some sort of special attack. He knew he has to dodge the attack no matter what. But when he turned around to take a quick peek, he was surprise to see a jet stream of flame heading his way...
He didn't dodge it in time...
FLOOOUM!
The cry of roaring flame brought Nabiki and the two fathers back into the Dojo in time to see Ranma burnt to a crisp. His entire body is covered in black ashes and the end of his pigtail is still burning with a small flame. After coughing up some smoke, he fell over with a loud thump.
"Ranma!" Akane ran up to Ranma to check if he's alright.
Kasumi, who just came back with the futon, left the dojo again to fetch the first-aid kit… and a barrel of burn ointment.
As for Nabiki… well, she's taking as many pictures of Ranma to sell off later to his likely rivals.
Happosai, who was left forgotten, walked over to the young victor. "Well sonny, I didn't expect something like that from you. After all these years, I though the Clan of the Tribunal had slowly been weaken but I guess I was wrong. I'm quite sorry about the boy. He can be an idiot sometimes and-"
FLOOOUM! Everybody, other than the Ranma, look up in time to see Happosai was also burnt extra crispy.
"That…hurts…puff" Thump.
"Hey, what's your problem?" demanded Akane, who was the first one to react to the situation. "Was that even necessary?"
Dongchang look at the girl and responded in an annoyed tone of voice. "If I had it my way I would say…YES! As I was trying to tell you people, I'M NOT IN ANY WAY OR FORM AN AGENT FROM ANY BLOODY SOCIETY!"
"N-n-now now, let not get too hasty here," said Soun trying to calm the young man down before he starts burning down his Dojo. "Lets all calm down and discuss this like civilized—"
"Tendo-san, open your mouth again and I swear ya be nothing but ashes. YOU TOO FATTY!"
"Yes sir…" whimpered Genma as Soun was subbing in the background.
"If what you say is true, than…what are you doing here?" asked Nabiki.
"Sigh...I'm here as the boys' sensei as in his tutor, his consoler, his teacher and to be more blunt, HIS PROFESSOR IN ACADEMIC STUDIES!"
"WHAT?"
"As I said, I'm here to teach Ranma ACADEMICALLY. Not as a fighter but as his teacher."
Two futons were set at the corner of the dojo for the two third degreed burnt martial artists while the remaining residents are seated at the table once more. They were in complete shock from this new discovery. Other than the usual engagements and rivals, this one takes the cake. Nabiki decided to speak for everyone since they're still trying to cope with this newfound information.
"And why are you telling us this now?"
"I seem to recall two individuals handling me like a rage doll." Dongchang trialed off letting everyone recall the mess earlier while looking at the two fathers.
"Not that I'm questioning you or anything but are you serious?"
Dongchang tilts his head to one side to the middle Tendo daughter. "I don't follow what you're saying Tendo-san."
"I mean, seriously, you're actually here to EDUCATE Ranma. Ranma who think nothing more but his stomach? The one who has no interest in any subjects that doesn't involves physical activies? Our Ranma?"
"Well yeah, is that a problem?"
"…Right... so where's your proof?" Dongchang place a piece of paper on the table and point out one section of the document. The rest of the family look to see what has been written.
'Dongchang Lee, as Guardian, I here by see that you are
legally responsible for the charge Ranma Saotome in his
wellbeing to educate, expands proper awareness, and the
way of becoming man-among-man as you see fit.'
"As you can see; I'm here to help Ranma. If you want, you can say I'm going to be his Mentor, his Consoler or his Teacher in a way. Maybe I'll throw in some training time while I'm at it but mostly I'll be schooling him."
Mr. Tendo took the chance to speak, leaving Nabiki alone with the document. "That sounds nice but I don't think that's necessary. Ranma has a responsibility to carry out the school and marry one of my daughters. Furthermore, I don't think you are qualified to legally take care of the boy."
"That didn't stop you from forcing me to drink that oversized saki or that little fight I just had." Dongchang pointed out, eyeing Soun negatively.
"Gulp, Well…That was than and this is now. I don't think it's proper for Ranma to be care by someone who is the exact same age as the boy."
"I'm actually in my 20s thank you very much."
"There's no need to lie young man."
"Seriously. Here's my Passport, my Drivers License, my birth certificate…"
After seeing all those documents, papers, seals and any forms and entries piling up on the table, everyone went back to staring at the young man questioning about his age.
"Yeah, yeah, don't be surprised. You're not the first people to mistake me for how I look. 'Really, this is getting old.' So there you have it. I'm actually 21 years old here to take care of the Ranma with his academics studies. Though, I won't be starting right now. I'll mostly likely be looking around for a place to stay and when I'm done, I'll start Ranma's studies. If he wants, he can stay with me."
"I forbid it!" protested the portly man. "Ranma must marry a Tendo and carry on the Anything Goes School Legacy! I forbid this pint-size runt to have anything to do with the boy!"
"And how is he going to run the school? Nowadays, you need a license to open a school and a proper education is the remedy to do so," DongChang stated.
"He's my son, I'm sure he can think of something."
"I'm sure you'll reconsider."
Ganma put up a confident grin, an exact image of a proud man. He looked down at the young man, inferior within his authority. He assuring himself, that nothing, not ever a week supply of Sake, will ever change his mind.
"Hah! Like that will happen!"
"I don't think you have a choice Uncle," said Nabiki munching on a rice cracker.
"Why do you say that girl?"
"Take a look." Genma snatched the document from the well known Ice Queen and began reading it. He muttered the conditions mostly to himself and skipped some that he find unimportant until he reached to the very end. His face has gone pale when he read the signed name.
The remaining member of the household gathered around him to see what could have possibly caused the overweight man to react in such a manner.
As the Head of the Saotome-Clan, I permit Dongchang to do what
he think is necessary for Ranma to become man-among-man.
Signed by Nodaka Saotome
"H-h-h-how did you…Who did…"
Akane place a finger to her cheek and ask her sister an important question. "But Nabiki, isn't Mr. Saotome the Head of the Clan?"
"Who said it was Mr. Saotome?" answered Nabiki, giving her little sister a Cheshire cat grin.
"You know Saotome-kun, you should re-consider what the boy has to offer," said Soun beside his long time friend in nervous tone.
"That right Saotome-san, you should reconsider this. When I last saw Aunty, she was worried that Ranma here not having the proper education and skills needed when he was brought under your upbringing." said Doachung.
'Hook'
"And from our little conversation, she believes that Ranma should at less be educated to be considered 'MANLY.' If she finds out he is lacking in both areas of studies and social skills, he and Saotome-san will have to fulfill a contract Saotome-san gave her 10 years ago."
Genma has gone completely pale white, if that was even possible. 'Line'
"Don't know why it's so important but it couldn't be that bad. I mean, you couldn't have given her a contract stating you will commit seppuku if you weren't able to fulfill the contract, right? Who would be stupid enough to think up something like that?"
SPLASH!
Everyone turns to where Genma once sat to see a wet hefty panda holding a sign and an empty bucket.
-I'm just a cute panda. –
'And Sinker'
"Get off me ya Old Leash!"
A scream can be heard from the Dojo. Everyone rush back in in time to see a beautiful and wet redhead pulling something off of her chest and booting it out into orbit.
"Man that creep never learn." Ranma was about to leave when she accidentally bumped into Dongchang.
"I can see you're finally awake Boy-O."
"Huh! I wasn' sleeping. I was just… resting up a bit!" Ranma then nervously scratched the back of her pigtail. "Heh he, eh sorry about the trash talk though. I was trying to get ya to fight seriously."
Dongchage sighed once more and scratch his head before speaking to the boy changed girl. "Don't worry about it Ranma. I don't expect anything less in that fight."
"You don't?"
"Yes, don't worry about it. And the curse thing, I don't mind. At less you're still human in your… condition."
"I rather be something else than a girl." Ranma muttered.
"Well it can't be helped." Instantly, Ranma came up to him in a flash. "What?"
"Can ya teach me that technique?"
Once again, Dongchang was confused from the sudden request. "What?"
"You know, that fire-thingy you did with that fan! Man, that was assume!"
"Ehh…Thanks. I'm…just noticing that now."
"I bet you learn that from The Tribunal. Say, did I pass? Can you show me something now? When do we leave? Come on TELL ME ALREADY?"
WHAM! Her constant blabbering ended by the end of a flat and heavy steel fan.
"First of all Girl-Boy-eh-Whatever: First of all, I repeat, I'm not in any form or way belong to any Clan that was form by Ancient and powerful martial artist. Second: No, I'm not joking. Third: I don't know how I got this fan in the first place and even if I do know how to do that attack, I surly will not teach it to a loud mouth like you. And FINALLY: If you so far as mention or bring up what happened in that fight again, I'm gonna SHOVE THIS UP YOUR BLOODY ASS, IS THAT CLEAR?"
Ranma nod her head and stepped back.
After calming down, Dongchang lower his fan. "Now that's all settled, there's something I would like to talk to you Ranma."
"eh…Yeah, sure. What is it?" said Ranma in an uneasy tone.
"You understand what I meant by being your sensei, right?"
Ranma was again filled with excitement. "So you're going to teach me some powerful techniques?"
WHAM! "OW!"
"Were you not listening? Uh forget it. This will take forever. Yes…I'm going to teach you something."
"Great! What should we do first?" Ranma demanded.
"Oh, don't worry; I'm going to teach you a lot of things. Things like math, literature, science, philosophy, economy, and many many more. In fact, I'm going to be schooling you Ranma-boy."
Ranma's eyes were wide-open. "What?"
"You see my boy, or girl, you and I are going to have wonderful times together improving your studies. Also, I'll be working on your social skills. Ever since that match, I can tell I got a lot of work to do. But don't worry, I'll give you time to go off to go play martial arts and whatever you usually do."
After letting the information sink in, Ranma just have one thing to say. "There's no way I'm gonna go through with this! No sir, un-ah!"
"Are you sure boy-O?"
"Read my lips: Never. Gonna. Happen!"
A furry paw grabbed hold of Ranma. Genma tried his best reinforced 'expression of ultimate parental authority' with his panda face while holding the signs. -Ranma, no matter what, you will listen to whatever he said. - (Flip) - My life…I mean the future of the Anything Goes School of Martial Arts rested on your shoulders.-
"Since when do you care about something like that pop?"
Pulled out another sign, Genma presumably tries to look more authoritative even in his panda form. -Listen boy. Don't disappoint your Mother - (flip) -When she finds out you're disobeying her demands.-
"What? Mom?"
"That's right Saotome," Nabiki helpfully handed her the document. "Lee-san here is appointed by Aunty to help you improve your studies. Very nice of her, don't you agree?"
Ranma read the paper once. Then she reads it the second time.
"You're kidding me?"
"'Fraid not Saotome. That's an official contract, I should know."
Sigh, there are things that she hated more then school, Akane's cooking, complete idiots out to get him and many things. But most importantly, she hate to disappoint her own mother.
"Are there … any conditions?" gloomily asked Ranma.
"Other than giving me your time, doing research papers, and other things that might come up… yeah, that's about it," Dongchang respond.
"Sigh… When do we start?"
"It's a bit too early to start right away." Dongchang heads towards the porch entrance. "I'll contact you later after I settled in. For now, I bid you ado." He then bows down to the Tendos. "It was a pleasure meeting you and I thank you for your hospitality, especially you Kasumi-san."
"Oh my, why thank you Dongchang-san. Please, drop by any time."
"Hold it Lee-san!" Dongchang swore silently and slowly turned to face the middle Tendo daughter. "Yes Tando-san."
Nabiki handed him a small card. "If you're looking for a good place to stay, you can contact me by this number." She then gives him a thoughtful impression. "Of course, I think we can arrange something if you decided to accept my service, maybe a few yen or so?"
"Nabiki!" Akane shout.
"What, can a girl make a few extra yen by helping out a new friend of the family?"
Dongchang look at the card then back at the young lady in front of him. "I'll… think about it Tendo-san." he pocketed the card while exiting the premises. He was out of sight after turning to the rear entrance.
"Man, what a day." When their latest guest left the Tendo ground, everything seem to have gone back to normal. After dinner, everybody had gone their separate ways. Ranma, on the other hand, and in his rightful form, is on the roof thinking about this latest event.
That guy, who is he? He didn't hold himself well as a martial artist but it looked like he knows a thing or two about the arts. But what's up with that fan? How did he throw that fire if he doesn't know how to produce ki? Even though his fighting skill is not as close to Akane's, how did he do it? What bad enough is that he's going to be his teacher.
"Great, now 'm gonna be homed school by that fan happy guy. Can my life get any worst?"
"Ranma!"
Ranma groan as he turns around to see a bandaged mummy a few feet from him. "What do ya want ya Ol' Fart? I don't have time to mass with you now."
Happosai turns his eyes on him and spoke seriously. "Listen well boy; be careful when you're around that lad. His aura doesn't seem right."
Ranma look at the Old Master in confusion. What is he talking about? "What are you talking about Ol' Fart? He seems normal enough to me."
Happosai gives a sigh for the boy's ignorance. "What I mean boy is that his ki is all mixed up. It's like there's something inside him that's messing with his body. I don't know why but I can just feel it."
Ranma was surprised that Happosai is warning him for a possible threat. This is a side he never expected but it couldn't be that bad, could it?
"Well boy, you better watch yourself. Never let your guard down." Before he leave, Happosai gives Ranma one final warning. "Oh yeah, if you see a man who dresses like a priest, you better run."
"Are you warning me about Pops latest plan to join the school?"
Pow! "Ow!"
"I'm not talking about that you idiot!" bellowed Happosai. "I'm talking about a tall man who looks like a priest and uses large bayonets."
"A what?"
"You heard me. You have to stay away from him! You better heed this warning boy or you'll never see another day."
Flashback…
Happosai lay heavily breathing. He couldn't believe at first but he's still alive. In pain but still alive. Even though he couldn't see, he could tell the Priest is still near. Darkness seems to be drawing near but Happosai will will not allow it.
"Tell me. What are your intentions for the boy?"
The Priest chuckled but answered otherwise. "Since ye won't be here for long, I shall give thee a peace of mind. The Lord has… high interest for the lad. For he be a fallen to cause turmoil but as well salvation among men." The Priest draws out another bayonet and leveled it in front of him. "Judgment is at hand! I pray for the child well being but I shall smite if he be a heretic!"
"You… Bastard…"
"Sleep now little lame. May the Lord guide thee to salvation."
Those were the final words before he reached unconsciousness.
"Okay, I think ya have one too many beating or ya finally getting all senile or something. Besides, since when did I back out on a challenge? Don't ya think I can win?" Ranma pride himself to be the best of the best. He had never back out from a fight before and he will not start now.
BONK!
"Would ya stop that!" Ranma cradles his head after being smacked by a small smoke pipe.
"Idiot! As the Grandmaster of the Anything School of Martial Art, I forbid you for ever facing this deadly foe." The Old Master stares hard at the boy, showing how serious he is. "That man is not human. No…worst. He's like a monster. If you ever think of tracking him down, I guarantee you will lose your life." He then hopped off, leaving a very confused Ranma behind.
AN: Well, here's Chapter 4
The Metal Fan and RETSUKA SHIN-EN attack was used by Tasuki from the series Fushigi Yugi. I do not own the series and their characters or their attacks.
The Tribunal is from the TMNT 5th series. Don't own this either.