Olympus 19- Trial By Fire- The Joutengers return to base where they lay Miki on the couch. Hera says "Thank heaven's you're alright. What happened to Miki?" It remains silent for a moment until Shun speaks. "She kind of went off the deep end and attacked Dave for almost no reason. Then she started yelling at him and I knocked her out before she could do worse." "I'm fine." "That's a relief." Amy says "Hey guys, check this out." She shows them live footage of Tetsu lying in the smoldering dirt. Dave comments "He looks terrible." "Yeah, he's been burned badly by those finishers." Shun asks "Should we have, you know?" Demi replies "No, of course not. It's not our place to be his judge and jury." "I saw his true character before though. He wanted my mother to live like he promised, but Typhon killed her before I could make my decision. I'm just saying, not even the Titans are coming to save him. He isn't one of them." Dave goes out. "Where are you going Dave?" "Dave, do you need help?" "I'll be fine, don't follow me." "Ok. If he says so." Miki starts getting up. "Who did that? Where's Dave?" "He went out. You need to chill out a little." "I just had the most wonderful dream. I finished Titan Red off with my own two hands, and it was so satisfying." Demi says "That's disturbing." "If someone killed your father, wouldn't you want to get back at them?" "No. My faith teaches that an eye for an eye leaves the world blind." "She's right Miki." "What do you know Aqua Lad?" "I know that ever since we fought Titan Red an hour ago you've been going crazy." "Oh, I'm crazy? How's about Dave for what he said about us being alike. He's not crazy? That boy is out of his mind. I'll never be like that jerk Titan Red. It would just give me so much- Huh?" All of a sudden, on the viewing screen, Dave walks up to a wounded Tetsu, who is getting up. "I want to ask, what is your name?" "T-tetsu, Tetsu Nomura, why, have you come to write my tombstone?" "Nope." Dave goes to grab Tetsu's shoulder, Tetsu trying to retreat. "What are you doing?" "You're clearly going to die if we don't do something." "What? I'm your enemy! I've mocked your character, I've broken your arm. You're supposed to finish me off quick and painless. It's the least you could do for me." "It's not how I operate. I believe in second chances, don't you?" Tetsu remains silent as Dave finally picks him up and walks him on his shoulders, Tetsu not even able to stand as he faints again from fatigue. "It's going to take a while."

Miki, watching, gets angry. "What the hell is he doing?" She calls him from Olympi on his Godchanger. "DAVE, DROP HIM AND GET BACK HERE NOW! DAVE! DAVE! DON'T IGNORE ME! THIS IS YOUR LAST CHANCE! GET YOUR ASS BACK HERE THIS INSTANT!" "Sorry, no can do. Dave out." He hangs up as Miki is piping mad. "If there is one thing I can't stand, its insubordination, especially from someone so timid and we-" Demi holds her fist to her. "Stop that sentence right there." "What good pacifist you are." "Would you calm down? Seriously." "I wont be calm down until I've avenged my mother. I'm going after him." Shun and Demi block the door. "Step aside, I need to get to that creep." "You need a chill pill." "You need to watch your back cause I have lightning and you're just splashy little water." Shun gets visibly angry "Are you threatening me?" "I don't know, I'm starting to think Kai is the only one with sense on this team." Demi stands her ground despite her height. "I won't let you! It goes against the principles you set. Don't you remember? You wanted us to be good citizens? How is seeking vengeance make us good citizens?" "Don't you know? I abandoned that philosophy weeks ago. It's no use being a goody two shoes when the enemy is cold and ruthless. You have to be so in return. Before you get cooked to a crisp, let me through. I promise I won't hurt Dave too bad." "You won't hurt him at all. Over my dead body." "Why do you keep going after him Demi? You know he's not interested right?" "I don't care about that. He's our teammate and friend."

Dave shows up at the same hospital Demi's dad is at and checks Tetsu in. "He's got really bad burns and cuts, he needs to be treated stat." "We'll be right on it, just rest him there." He lays Tetsu on a cot as they take him in. Dave then returns to OIympi as tempers reach a fever pitch. "Step aside or else." "What's going on?" Dave gets punched in the gut and the face by Miki in succession, Shun holding Miki back, Miki starting to spark. "YOU TRAITOR!" "I did what I must. I can't let someone lay and die like that. It's inhumane." Miki starts dangerously sparking, enough to get Shun to lose his grip as Miki prepares to shoot lightning at Dave. Kai suddenly speaks up. "No, you know what Miki? Shut up. Dave had the balls to do something that no one else would have done. I don't like how he saved Tetsu, I want him dead as badly as you do, but not to where I'm willing to fight my own teammates. Dave's twice the hero you'll ever be, because he never turns his back on his principles, or his friends." "You all take his side now? What does he bring?" Demi helps Dave up, who is frightened by Miki's anger. "You alright?" "I don't know, I thought I saw my life flashing before my eyes. Miki is definitely emanating a very black and red aura." Miki calms down and is still visibly angry at Dave.

At the hospital, Tetsu shares a room with Demi's father, who notices his grave injuries. "Dear boy, how did you ever get those injuries?" Tetsu ignores him. "I see, not a very fun story?" Silence continues. "Funny story actually. I got crushed by a giant rock from this lava monster and I was saved by my daughter. Cute little thing really. What is your name son?" "Tetsu. Tetsu Nomura." "I see. I think I've heard the last name before." "I'm sure you have." "You live by yourself?" "I've been on my own since I was twelve. I can't stop until I've accomplished my goal." "I think that is a fine answer. However, you must not lose yourself to your goals. Too much devotion is just as dangerous as too much apathy. It says so in my scriptures." "I take it you are a holy man." "Indeed I am, spreading the great message of peace and love throughout the world, what is it that you do Mr. Tetsu?" "I'm a simple soldier. I do as I'm told and I follow in the footsteps of my family." "I see. Following a destiny laid out by your parents. It's not a terrible life choice, but wouldn't it create better harmony if you founded a career of your own?" "This is my career. I've wanted it my whole life. Especially since my mother died." "Oh no. You are definitely in my prayers tonight Tetsu. What of your father?" "My father's been dead to me for a very long time, he never sees me, he never loves me, all he did was pass my seed. He left me and my mother when we needed him most. Understand what I'm saying?" "Indeed, your father is most certainly a cowardly man, but is it really all just his fault you and your mother had it rough?" "What are you implying?" "I'm just saying, in my 55 years of living I have never encountered a problem that was ever just one person's fault. I feel for you though. No child should ever have to live without their parents at such a young age." "I don't need your pity, but thank you. I need to- urgh" As Tetsu tries moving his bones really ache and he can still feel the burns on his body.

Back at Olympi, Demi takes Dave and leaves, Kai not too far behind. "Yeah, get out of here you good for nothing traitors. It's going to be me and Sh-" "Peace out." "WHAT?!" "I'm going with them. Until you learn to control your anger, we're going to be out of here. You almost killed Dave today, that's inexcusable. We're a team, and until you remember that, this is goodbye." Miki is shocked but still angry. "Well fine, get out of here too. I work better on my own anyway. ALL OF YOU WERE DRAGGING ME DOWN!" As Shun catches up with the others, Miki recognizes how she's been acting. "Wait, what just happened?" Hera says "Child, you've pushed your friends away with your attitude. I understand that this has been an emotional day for you, but threatening to kill a teammate is most certainly out of line." "Not to mention your lust for vengeance is very disturbing and unsettling." "What would you know? You've never lost a loved one." "That's true. All I've lost is my ability to walk, run, dance, skate, play sports and have children. I guess it can't compare to losing a loved one." "I don't know what got into you Miki. This whole time you've been able to keep your emotions in check for the good of the team, now that you're not allowed to kill Tetsu, you've suddenly become this monster?" Miki contemplates a bit. "You're right, I did act out of line." "You did threaten to electrocute your team mates. I have the footage right here. Here, you could see the look of absolute fear in Dave's eyes. Is that how a leader leads?" "No. But I didn't lose my taste for vengeance, I still want one more shot at killing him, just to put it to rest forever." "But you did take that anger out at your teammates." Hera comments "Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't they your friends as well?" "Well of course-" "Is this how you treat your friends?" "Obviously not. I won't make excuses. I need to find a way to contact Titan Red and finish this up for good." "Don't you think you should apologize to your friends first?" "Well yeah-" "Your priorities are being eschewed. It's important that you remember whats important." "Yes."

At the park, in a little gazebo, the four joutengers wait around, chilling out. "Thank's Kai, you didn't need to-" "Don't thank me, that bitch has had it coming for a while. She's way more of a loose cannon than me." "Do you guys think I made a mistake, saving Titan Red's life?" Demi replies "Of course not-" Kai interrupts "I think you did." Shun replies "Wait, what?" "You heard me. He's still our enemy, and the fact that we spared him showed our weakness. You've potentially put us in jeopardy by letting him live." "I see." "However, I don't believe it's something to attack you for. You followed your instincts, and you obviously didn't have a hidden agenda for it. Miki thinks otherwise." Dave says "We should go back soon though. I can just imagine what she's thinking. Feeling abandoned-" Shun remarks "Dave, with all due respect, I think that we should just let Miki be alone for a bit. She's obviously wound up and angry, especially at you." "Yeah, I don't want her hurting you." "Neither do I. Sometimes people need to sort their problems out themselves." "I just hope he sees we can help him. I read it in his feelings. He's clearly in pain." Shun replies "Well, given the thrashing we gave him, I'd be more shocked if he felt peachy."

At the hospital, Tetsu and Mr. Hiza are still talking. "Gosh, I never thought of it that way." "No matter what your instincts tell you, it is important to follow your heart in all matters of life. It says so in my scriptures. So often men and women follow their selfish instincts of getting richer and more powerful, while it is often more important to live your life in calm serenity with yourself, away from human desire. It seems you've been motivated by these rather destructive desires. I don't know if your lust for your mother's love is about just your mother." "What do you mean?" "Just know that, no matter what you choose to do, there will always be someone in the world who cares about you. Me. It is important to love all of the God's creatures and to respect everyone regardless of how they've wronged you. I think you would like my daughter. She's a very tranquil soul." "I see." "She's doing much bigger things for the world than I ever could, and even if she does things I wouldn't approve, I would still love her with all my heart, as I do everything and everyone else. Remember Tetsu my boy, find your inner peace before you find your mother." "I don't know how I could find inner peace without my mother, but I appreciate the advice. You didn't have to-" "It's my job. Spreading the word of peace and happiness throughout the world."

All of a sudden, Typhon and Asteria show up at the hospital, walking past the guards and going to Tetsu's room as he finally starts smiling talking with Arav. Asteria comments "Oh how cute, the humans made a friend. Typhon!" "Yes." He starts a small fire in the room. "Hey, what the hell are you two doing here?" "Putting up our end of the bargain. Remember yours Tetsu. Typhon, get him." "I don't know who you are, but you leave this boy alone. Can't you see he's finding himself." Typhon scoffs. "You think we care old man? Hows about I finish job that put you here?" He shoots fire at the drapes next to Aravs bed and he tries to retreat but it's still really hard to move. The Joutengers in the park see the fire by the hospital. "WE NEED TO GET THERE FAST!" Kai reassures Demi "Don't worry, we'll get there. Guys, hang onto Demi, I'll hold Demi. Let's go!" They run in weird formation at super speed to the hospital as they morph. Miki, at the base, hears the alarm and immediately runs to the hospital and morphs. "Don't worry guys, I'll get there!" All of a sudden, Miki is ambushed by the Hydra monster. It roars at her with its five heads as Miki is in no mood. "Step aside. I don't have time for this." The Hydra shoots her with fire breath as Miki calls on her sword before the attack hits, knocking her back a bit. The Hydra splits into five hydranoid monsters like before and they each take a slash at Miki as she gets her composure. Miki then charges her Raiku blade and uses her slashing to blast them back hard. They reform and each head bites a body part, suspending her in the air. They fire breath at point blank, splitting up before they could take recoil and knocking Miki back hard. Miki, seeing the fire getting worse in the background, summons lightning and strikes them all with one huge thunderbolt, forcing them to retreat as Miki continues her sprint, clearly running out of energy.

As Typhon and Asteria walk out of the hospital with Tetsu in their arms, the four Joutengers confront them outside, Demi clearly angry. "How could you monsters be so, heartless?" "All's fair in love and war little girl. If you're looking for daddy dearest, I believe he's being cooked well done right now. Typhon?" "Of course!" Typhon shoots fire at the greenery around the building, lighting the whole place on fire, Shun trying to go for water attacks but Asteria holds him down with gravity magic. "You think we'd let you put out our fire this easily blue?" Kai tries attacking with super speed but Typhon shoots magma on the ground, slowing him down as he burns his feet on hot magma. Dave tries using his telekinesis to hold the building up as Asteria uses her crystal ball to shoot energy at him, knocking him down. "We're out of here. Good luck putting out a fire hotter than magma!" Demi rushes at them but they teleport away, the others visibly defeated. "Grr. They're gonna get it someday, I swear. Oh no, DAD!" In the hospital, Arva tries in vain to run out but his old age and injuries make it hard to even walk, Arva starting to cough badly as he tries crawling out of the room. Meanwhile, people are running out of the burning building, the guards carrying some weak patients outside. The receptionist calls for emergency services on the phone as Shun starts spraying the place with water, but the heat of the fire makes it difficult to put out. "C'mon. Demi, you help the injured people, Kai, Dave, I need you two to go back inside and find civilians. Kai, use your superspeed to get around quickly. Dave, well, why don't you help Demi out here?" "I can help-" "Please Dave, I need your help out here. I need you to give CPR to those people over there." A whole dozen people are on the ground trying to get their breath back as Dave tries giving CPR as Demi uses her healing powers to fix their lungs instantly. "Thank you so much JoutenGreen!" "Don't mention it, now get out of here." Dave saves a dying old woman from death, getting a hug as thank you. "Thank you so much young lady." "It's a pleasure. Please, get to safety." Kai goes inside and is able to quickly find a few guys trapped under falling ceiling beams. He also sees Arav in his room, trying to not die as he knows he can't escape. "Why is it so hard? I need to save Mr. Hiza. But..." The two boys are almost completely trapped by a fallen ceiling beam, Kai using his strength get it off of them, using his super speed to get them out. Arva comments "Such heroes, those kids. If I must perish, it would be for the greater good."

Kai comes back though is starting to develop a cough. "You ok Kai?" "I'm fine Demi. Just keep treating these people." He coughs a bit as Dave hands CPR duty to the guards. "I'm coming with you." "Don't be ridiculous, I don't need your-" Kai starts violently coughing and Dave helps him up. "You sure about that? Shun, how's the water coming?" "It's fine, I just wish I had more hoses or something." Dave and Kai get into whats left of the building and find Arva struggling, gasping for air. "A-are there any others?" "No, you're the last one. Don't worry Mr. Hiza, we'll get you out. Kai, can you carry him?" "Mhm." Kai uses his super speed to go through the fire though his cough comes back as he starts losing air, demorphing. A ceiling beam starts coming down as Kai gets up and carries Arva on his shoulder, Kai doing what he can to avoid the beam as Dave tries to hold it up. "Get Mr. Hiza out of here." "But what about-" "GO NOW!" Dave starts sparking as Kai uses his remaining strength to speed out of the building, both him and Arva on the brink of death. "DAD! KAI!" Demi runs from the patients, who are out of the lethal stage, to Kai and Arva, Demi using her hands to try and heal them separately, Demi starting to feel exhausted. Miki shows up. "Damn it, I missed most of it. You guys ok?" Shun jokingly remarks "You sure took your sweet time." "Shun, what happened?" "Well, I became a firefighter and-" "What happened? For real." "Ok, Typhon and Asteria took Titan Red to wherever and Typhon left a fire trail with his exit. These flames are way too intense." Demi notices something. "Where's Dave?" Miki realizes whats going on. "Oh shit, he's still in there."

Inside the burning building, Dave pushes the flaming ceiling beam off but it's blindsided by a stray ceiling beam to the head, knocking him out and demorphing him. Shun douses Miki in water and dirt. "The buildings about to collapse, Dave need's your help asap." "Thanks Shun." "Don't thank! HURRY!" Miki rushes in head on and sees Dave unconscious on the ground. She uses her remaining strength and a thunderbolt to knock the beams off as she carries David through the flames, Miki starting to lose her breath as well. "Oh no, not this feeling. I need just...a few...more...steps!" "DAVE!" Miki lays Dave on the grass next to Kai and Arva and starts catching her breath. Demi goes to Dave's unconscious body as Kai and Arva wake up and the ambulances from the other side of town finally make it to the burning hospital, the firefighters not far behind. Shun stops shooting water as the building collapses, the emergency services taking the masses of people. "C'mon Dave." Demi does what she can to heal him back but gets knocked out, tired from a whole day of fighting and healing. Kai rushes to Demi as Dave wakes up. "I have an awful headache- DEMI!" Kai picks her up as him and Dave are visibly worried, Miki and Shun also worried. "We need to get her back to Olympus, and fast." "You sure got better in a hurry." "That doesn't matter, we need Demi to be ok." "Agreed. She's been working hard all day." Kai and Dave carry her to the base as Miki and Shun follow. They rest her on Kai's pull out bed at Olympi. Hera asks "Is she alright?" Kai replies "She's fine. She's just exhausted." "She just spent the last half hour healing everyone out of the hospital. She's earned some rest." Shun punches the wall in frustration. "I can't believe we couldn't stop those two!" Amy says "Shun calm down." "How am I supposed to calm down? The Titan's put Ms. Daimonji in danger and burned down an entire hospital full of people. If I get my hands on Typhon-" Miki interrupts him "Look Shun, I understand your pain, but we aren't going to be going anywhere if we just hold onto feelings of revenge." "Huh?" "I thought you guys were trying to teach me that." Shun takes a nice deep breath. "You're right. I guess I should practice what I preach." Dave says "Thank you for saving me back there Miki." "Don't mention it. After the crap I did to you today, it's the least I could do." "But what you did was still foolish Dave. Titan Red escaped with the titans, he's most likely still allies with them." "I know, I apologize. I just thought that maybe-" Miki interrupts "It's like the others said, you did it out of compassion, it's nothing to get angry about." Miki hugs dave who reciprocates. Kai makes a disgusted gesture.

At Mt Olympus, Asteria gives Tetsu a healing potion for Tetsu to take. "What you did back there was completely-" "Oh give it a rest. Like you're any better. I'm sure the Joutengers saved them like they do everyone else. You still need to help us overthrow Chronos." "I know. Are you guys absolutely-" "Of course we're sure. We wouldn't have gone this far. How are you feeling?" "I'm feeling broken still." "It should be sufficient. Typhon, come with us. It's time." Tetsu morphs and they march into the throne room. Chronos is taking a nap whilst Asteria opens the door with her magic, completely silent. "From behind, like we said." Tetsu slowly and quietly sneaks behind Chronos as he snores the day away, getting his bellum spear ready for a lethal blow. All of a sudden, Typhon yells "LORD CHRONOS, A TRAITOR!" "WHAT?" Chronos wakes up, picks up Tetsu behind him, and throws him across a wall. "What the hell Typhon?" "Sir, we managed to go undercover and find out he's a trait-" "That's quite enough Typhon. I get the story. Tetsu my boy, remember what I told a few hours ago about coming back here empty handed?" "Yes, but it doesn't matt-" "Oh it does matter quite a lot. Not only have you failed me time and time again, but you have the nerve to betray me?" "What we're doing is pure evil." "Oh my, how a mirror works wonders." Asteria speaks up "I just thought I should tell you, your mother is never coming back." "WHAT!?" "Indeed. I never had the power to bring her back. So all of the suffering you've caused, all the families you've destroyed, and all the hate you've brought yourself, was always for naught. I couldn't revive people even if I wanted to. You'll never see your mother again." Tetsu falls to his knees in shock. "N-no, y-you're lying. There has to be a way, THERE HAS TO BE!" "This false hope you've created is cute but foolish. Typhon, get rid of him." "Yes Lord Chronos." Typhon goes to punch him with Magma as Tetsu sweeps Typhon and runs away, burning with anger yet also fighting back tears in his eyes. "It can't be for nothing. Everything I've done, it couldn't just be for a lie, it just couldn't." Typhon asks "Should we follow him?" "Nah, let him go. He has no allies. The Joutengers would be just as quick to kill him as we would, maybe even quicker. He's a soldier without a cause. There's no hope for him now." "Wouldn't it be more-" "Just let him be. I'm going to make him suffer for his betrayal. Also, good job exposing him. I underestimated you two. Don't do it again."

Tetsu runs off and jumps onto the Quadriga, leaving Mt. Olympus and heading towards Japan. "So, you finally stopped being stubborn?" Tetsu doesn't say a word. "I see. Well, hopefully this taught you a valuable lesson about trust." Tetsu continues to be silent. "Regardless, I appreciate your decision." They arrive in Japan near a cave as Tetsu sets up camp. "You know, it probably isn't best to simply wait out the war like this." "Why not? I owe nothing to either side." "Still, those Joutengers might need the help." "Pfft." "What was that for?" "After all I've done? I'm as good as dead if I even look in their direction." "True. I see you just want to be alone. Welp, good luck." Quadriga retreats and Tetsu sits in the cave by his fireplace, trying to repress his guilt. "NO! A soldier never has regrets, but..." He starts thinking about Miki's mother, Jamarah and Arav. Tetsu fights back the tears and takes a nap, trying to ignore his own guilt.

Demi starts tossing and turning on their couch as Dave takes Miki and Shun out. "Where are we-" "Just come with me for a sec." Kai is a bit confused at first, but realizes almost immediately. Demi starts getting up to see Kai. "Hey there Demi. You feel ok?" "Yeah, how is my father?" "He's at the hospital on the other side of town." "And Dave?" "He's out with the others. Relax a little. You were the MVP of that whole rescue." "I mean, I can't take all the credit. Dave was the one who helped you and my dad escape." "Yeah, well, umm." There is some awkward silence. "So, should we meet up with the others?" Kai sighs a bit but responds "Alrighty then. They should be right outside." Shun and Miki heard the whole thing outside. "I knew it wasn't going to work." "C'mon Miki, you can't hurt Kai for trying." "Indeed." Kai and Demi come outside as Amy and Hera join them. Miki says "That was one hell of a day. Who's up for some sushi?" Dave replies "Sounds delightful."

As they walk to the Sushi place, they come across Tetsu, who recognizes them. Tetsu goes to them, but Miki punches him square in the face. "You think you could hurt more people huh? You may have Dave fooled, but you're still a piece of shit to me. You make me sick. Why shouldn't I kill you right-" Dave tries pulling her back. "Please, I thought we learned revenge was bad." "Yeah, and I'm about to let it all out-" Demi separates the two of them. "ENOUGH! Miki, we aren't fighting today. We've done it enough. All six of us are tired, lets just enjoy our evenings, and you-" Tetsu remains silent. "Just stay out of our way. If you come at us again, all bets are off." Dave, feeling bad and reading his aura asks "Hey, perhaps you could join-" "Absolutely not, for all we know, he's still working with those titans." "But he just looks so-" Tetsu simply walks away. Demi tells Dave rather softly "I know your hearts in the right place but that guy is just, he's, not very good company. We know you can read emotions, but I don't think it can heal the wounds he's left in Miki and Kai's hearts. Sorry Dave." They continue to their destination.

"Hmph. I don't need them. That Dave fellow is still a naive fool. Still..." He starts feeling guilty but shakes his head. "A true soldier never feels guilt." His stomach starts growling. "I could use a meal though." He goes through his pockets. "Ugh, no yen." Tetsu goes to a ramen hut to get a cheap meal. "What can I do you for stranger?" "A small bowl please." "Alright. That will cost you 400 yen." Tetsu reaches into his pockets again as the ramen finishes cooking. "Do you keep a tab?" "For a drifter like you-" Tetsu grabs him by the collar. "Don't you dare say that again. I am not just a mere drifter." "That ain't gonna get you a bowl. You think you're a tough guy, huh?" "If the boot fits." "I'll give you ramen if you do me a favor." "What is it?" "I need you to help protect my shop from these ruffians from across town. They run the whole block and I'm short on cash this month." "Some kind of mess you got into there." "Shut up. Do you want the ramen or not?" "Well, I'll be your bodyguard for a small price." "What is it?" "Two bowls of your cheapest ramen everyday. I'm not just a scummy mercenary." "Umm, sure. Here you go." "Thank you. I never got your name." "Hayato Takeshi. And yours is?" "Nomura. Tetsu Nomura." "N-Nomura?" "Ah, I see you recognize my name." "What's a general's son doing being a drifter?" "It's none of your business. Do you have a picture of what these hooligans look like?" "No. Why would I do that?" "Common sense." "I take you're not a people person?" Tetsu stays silent. "I'll take that as a yes. Well, you could at least be civil with the customers." "I will."

As Hera walks home from the Sushi place alongside Dave and Kai, she notices Tetsu at a Ramen stand. Dave mutters "Just keep walking." "He's just lucky I don't go in there and get a few shots at him." "Kai please." Hera asks "What could he be doing behind a noodle stand?" "Who knows, but if he starts problems, we'll be there to break his head." They continue to walk back as Tetsu glares at them. "They friends of yours?" Tetsu remains silent. "No friends huh?" "Never had them, never needed them." There is some awkward silence as Hayato starts trying to make small talk. "Have any family?" "It's been just me for the past few years." "Shouldn't you be in the army?" "Hmph. Things happened. Why don't you just let me think quietly?" "Oh, well ok. Can see why you don't have any friends." "Hmph." As it approaches midnight, Hayato closes up shop while Tetsu starts walking back towards the cave. "Be here at 9am sharp, you hear me?" "Yes." Tetsu walks away thinking. "He may be a fool, but the man does know his ramen. It was the best meal I had in months."