After sleeping on a futon in a sparse guest room, Ranma woke up fairly early, though not early enough to beat someone who had already prepared breakfast for everyone. As he began to eat, the cook returned to make breakfast for Kenichi and Miu, who had yet to wake up, and Ranma discovered that it was Kensei Ma, the Chinese master.
At first, he eyed him with suspicion and then said neutrally, "No tricks today, old man?" The master, without turning around, responded with a light chuckle, "Ohohoh, I have no idea what you're talking about, young man. I'm just a peaceful martial artist who enjoys photography as a hobby. A sincere admirer of the female form, whose beauty is undoubtedly a sign of divine mercy toward us poor mortals."
"Yeah, well, you'd better look elsewhere for your mercy, because you won't find any here."
"Ohoh, what a cheeky young man. However... I can't help but wonder if all this cheekiness is matched by an equal level of skill," he concluded, glancing at him sideways with an amused smirk.
"Tsk! I'd like nothing better than to show you what I'm capable of!"
"Ohoh! There will be time, there will be time..."
At that moment, the other masters began to enter one by one. It was clear they had been holding a meeting in the large room until just moments ago.
Ranma looked them over again; they seemed even more peculiar than before. Not that he wasn't used to oddities, but still…
"Oh, you're already up, very good," Koetsuji remarked.
"Good morning, kid!" said the karate master with a wolfish grin.
"Apa!" squeaked the giant.
Ranma noticed that the Elder was missing and guessed that Shigure was probably lurking somewhere in the ceiling beams, as usual.
"Uh... can I ask where the students are? Miu and that Kenichi?"
"They just woke up. Miu is talking to the Elder, who's explaining what happened yesterday. Starting this morning, you might all train together, though regarding you, a decision still needs to be made," Koetsuji informed him.
"Uahah; yeah, as for Kenichi, it's a miracle if he wakes up after the kick you gave him yesterday!" Sakaki laughed.
"Well, he shouldn't have splashed me with cold water. It's not exactly the best way to put me in a good mood."
"I can imagine," Koetsuji replied, "but if you all have to train together, it would be best if you try to get along."
"I have no problem with that, as long as NO ONE acts weird," he said, shooting a glare at Kensei, who was whistling innocently.
A few minutes later, everyone was in the courtyard. The masters sat cross-legged under the porch (except for Shigure, who perched on the roof), and were soon joined by Kenichi and Miu, who sat beside them.
Ranma noticed that when the girl met his gaze, she blushed and hid her face in her apron, embarrassed. They must have told her what happened the day before, and understandably, she was ashamed. The other thing he noticed was that she was REALLY cute—slender and graceful, yet with breathtaking curves, a long blonde braid, and sky-blue eyes.
Ranma stood in the middle of the yard, facing Hayato, who stood with his arms crossed.
"Ranma Saotome," Hayato began, "so you've come to Ryozampaku to train. Tell me, where did you hear about our dojo?"
"It was among the notes of my late master, the one who founded my style. Honestly, there wasn't much written—just 'The House of the Strongest.' That piqued my curiosity, so I came here to learn more."
"Hmm... and tell me, what was your master's name?"
"Well… he was a mysterious sort, never knew his last name. Everyone just called him Old Man Happosai."
At that name, Hayato's expression changed, but in a controlled way, as if he had expected it. Most of the other masters, however, showed clear signs of surprise.
"What? THAT Happosai… was your master?" Koetsuji asked.
"But... if I'm not mistaken, I've heard of him as a sort of demon," Sakaki said.
"One of the greatest martial arts experts, and one of the biggest... uh, perverts on the planet," Ma observed, without a hint of irony.
"Heh! Yeah, exactly. THAT old man founded the School of Indiscriminate Martial Arts, which he passed on to only two students, one of whom is my father, Genma Saotome. I've been trained since childhood to become the heir to the school, but recently, the old man Happosai died without ever teaching me a damn thing. May he burn in hell!"
"Hmm… the way you speak of him, it's clear you really knew the old man," Hayato said.
"What? You… knew him too?"
"Uahaha! Of course I knew him! In fact, Happosai and I were old friends and drinking buddies!"
"What? Well, look at that. The old man's full of surprises," Sakaki commented.
"Incredible," Koetsuji remarked. "Then again, the Elder's past is shrouded in mystery…" he continued to himself.
"Apa! The Elder and Ranma's master were friends! Apachai is also a friend of Ranma!" Apachai exclaimed.
Kensei and Shigure said nothing, lost in thought. Miu seemed surprised and deep in thought. Kenichi, on the other hand, was shocked by the news but in a different way. "Damn, but this… is a real PLOT TWIST! With what happened last night, that makes two! I need to take notes," he said, pulling out paper and pen and beginning to scribble furiously. "If I want to become a great writer, I need to understand the mechanisms to surprise readers when they least expect it."
A huge drop of sweat appeared on Miu's forehead as she watched him.
"Hmm… I didn't expect that," Ranma commented. "But… WAIT A MINUTE! So, that figure I glimpsed at the funeral… IT WAS YOU! I knew I wasn't dreaming."
"Uahahah, well done noticing me! Yes, I went to pay my final respects to an old friend and an extraordinary martial artist."
Ranma was astonished. Now everything made more sense. Then the Elder resumed speaking.
"Anyway, Ranma, if I'm not mistaken, the School of Indiscriminate Martial Arts is about learning any technique, style, or move from any school in the world, then modifying and adapting it to your own characteristics and preferences, excluding techniques that don't suit you, and always having a response for every situation. Is that correct?"
"Yes, that's right. In fact, I traveled all over Japan during my childhood, studying every martial discipline (and many non-martial physical disciplines) Japanese or foreign, to develop my style. I also learned some secret techniques from ancient martial arts, passed down only in remote clans, and I've engaged with some modern martial arts developed here in Japan for sport, inspired by ordinary activities. As you already know, I was in China, where I studied various styles of kung fu for about a year, knowledge I recently refreshed here in Japan. In my life, I've faced and defeated numerous rivals, some recurring and some one-time opponents, always finding a solution, even if it meant improvising, to any problem."
"Hmm… I like the kid. Seems like he's lived much more than his years," Sakaki observed.
"In essence… his entire life has been used as a test to see how much martial arts knowledge a single person can acquire. Somehow, the minds of martial artists all think alike…" Koetsuji reflected.
Kensei wondered what SECRET techniques Ranma referred to. However, a grin appeared on his face. The boy was becoming more and more interesting.
Kenichi was stunned, but he knew Miu would be even more so. "Basically, he's…"
"JUST LIKE ME!" the girl thought.
"Well, well," Hayato said, "in that case, you'll find that Ryozampaku is indeed the place for you if you want to take it to the next level."
A hopeful smile appeared on Ranma's face.
"However," the old Furinji continued with a stern expression, "we don't teach just ANYONE. To prove yourself worthy of studying here, you'll have to undergo a TEST."
Ranma's expression changed to one of challenge. "I'm ready for anything. Do I have to face you? One at a time or all together?"
The masters burst into laughter in unison. Miu and Kenichi seemed embarrassed. Ranma was annoyed. Clearly, they weren't taking him seriously.
"Haha, I like your spirit, young man. But no, it's not a physical test, but a MORAL one," Hayato continued, leaving the boy rather puzzled.
"A moral test?" The boy with the pigtail didn't understand.
"You see, in this dojo, we follow the rules of Katsujinken, which, in case you don't know, is the philosophy of the Fist That Saves; it's for those who use their martial arts to champion good and help others."
Ranma seemed confused. Martial arts in the service of good? Was he supposed to become some sort of superhero?
"On the other hand," the Elder continued, "there is an opposing philosophy, called Satsujinken, or the Fist That Kills, which is followed by those who believe martial arts were created to allow the strong to oppress the weak, and that one should kill one's enemies without mercy."
"In the past, unfortunately, some who trained in this dojo have later embraced the principles of Satsujinken and used the knowledge they gained here for personal gain."
Miu, Kenichi, and Koetsuji bowed their heads, deep in thought. Hayato was referring to Isshinsai Ogata, of course, and also to Saiga Furinji, Miu's father—though the latter had recently returned to the path of Good.
"So, Ranma, you'll understand why I must test the CHARACTER of those who train here. I can't allow that mistake to happen again. Tell me, boy, which path have you chosen? Katsujinken or Satsujinken?"
Ranma was hesitant. Was his behavior being tested?
"Well… honestly, this is the first time I've heard of these two opposing philosophies. All my life, I've never thought about such complicated issues. To me, martial arts are a way to better oneself, to enjoy the thrill of combat and the satisfaction of victory, and the pleasure of learning new things. Who doesn't love a good fight?" And here he could have sworn he heard a snicker of approval from Sakaki.
"Of course," the boy with the pigtail continued, "the moral lesson I was taught has always been to PROTECT life, and I've followed it without question, even though…"
Everyone seemed to lean forward. You could have heard a drop of dew fall.
"…in my life… I've met SEVERAL people who used martial arts for personal gain… or worse, who were willing to kill." Here Ranma quickly thought of many of his greatest rivals, like Ryu Kumon, Herb (even Mousse and Ryoga, at first), and then… when he thought of Saffron, his face twisted into a grimace of disgust and anger.
"Honestly, about a year ago… my resolve was tested.
An… enemy, you could say… incredibly strong… was threatening the life of someone… very dear to me… and the only way to confront him, given how powerful he was… the only way…"
Everyone had a neutral expression, except for Kenichi and Miu.
"…was to strike him with all my strength, without thinking about the consequences. In that moment… he almost died… I could say that, IF he had died… to be honest, I wouldn't have felt guilty. I can't say I regret it," he concluded, raising his face, with a defiant expression.
"But your enemy didn't die?" Hayato asked, neutral.
"No, he didn't die," Ranma exhaled all at once, with a hint of relief. "I believe he can no longer harm anyone, but he's alive and well."
His thoughts drifted back to the small phoenix that had hatched from the egg, which the people of Mount Hoo would once again raise to become their ruler. Let's hope they give him a bit more common sense this time, he thought.
All the masters relaxed. Hayato gave a slight smile.
"Well, well. You've been tested, and you haven't done anything irreparable. I won't criticize you: I don't doubt that desperate situations call for desperate measures. I appreciate your honesty, Ranma. It can't be easy to talk about such matters with strangers."
"Tsk! It's all in the past now."
"Very good! Just two quick questions: do you think it's honorable to use your full strength to defeat a weaker opponent?"
"FEH! What's the point in picking on the weak?"
"And what if, while walking down the street, you saw someone using their strength to bully, rob, or harass others...?"
"Hmph!" Ranma cracked his knuckles. "I'd grab that SOMEONE and teach them a good lesson!"
All the masters smiled. Hayato beamed.
"Well done, Ranma! You've passed the test!"
Ranma looked surprised. "What? That's it? You mean...you just trust my word?"
The Elder placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Ohohoh, of course! It's not easy to lie without me noticing! Yes, but you're still young! When you're a hundred years old, you'll also be able to read people's hearts with ease!"
Miu looked delighted. "Thank goodness...he really seems like a good person." Then she briefly frowned. "What will he think of me...after yesterday?"
And then a troubling thought struck her. "Back when Jenazad brainwashed me...could I have...?" She didn't dare finish the thought.
Kenichi, on the other hand, was both impressed and a bit frightened. "Thank goodness...he doesn't seem like a bad person...but...he's kind of scary. He's already experienced tragic events, and he's only a little older than Miu and me...it's like..." He glanced around. "It's like a mini version of the Masters," and he wasn't sure if that thought was comforting.
"But...after all, I've had my fair share of near-death experiences since I joined Ryozampaku. Ranma-kun...could he be a new friend? An ally in the fight against Yami?"
The Masters began voicing their opinions more loudly.
"Hmm...the boy's already been through some serious experiences...but I think we can trust him. I like his spirit!" commented Sakaki as he cracked open a beer.
"He's definitely someone walking the path of true martial arts," commented Kensei, "a path filled with decisive moments that require difficult choices."
"Many have faced a crossroads in life," Koetsuji interjected, "and although it doesn't seem like Ranma fully embraces the Katsujinken, it's clear he doesn't belong to the Satsujinken either. I'd say that's enough."
"Very well, Ranma," Hayato continued, "I think we can officially accept you as a student of Ryozampaku."
Ranma simply shot him a grateful look and clenched his fist.
"There's just one small detail..."
"What is it?"
At lightning speed, Kensei appeared with a small desk, papers, a pen, an inkwell, and a clerk's visor perched on his bald head.
"The TUITION, of course! It's 10,000 yen per month!"
Ranma looked horrified at the sight but quickly recovered.
"Uh...tuition, right; let's see," he said, pulling out his wallet from his pocket. "I'm not very good with money, but I did some odd jobs along the way and saved up a bit...here it is! I'll pay for a year in advance!"
Kensei's eyes turned into yen symbols as he literally snatched the money from Ranma's hands. Miu clasped her hands together, ecstatic, while her head rang like a cash register! MONEY! She could finally go shopping without counting every cent!
"Darn...if he's so well-off, we could've asked for much more. Oh well, too late now," thought Kensei and Hayato in unison.
After they gave him the receipt, Ranma stuffed it in his pocket and, eager with anticipation, began shadowboxing all around. "Alright, now that the formalities are done, when do we start? I'm itching to learn!"
"Calm down, calm down! That's the problem with youngsters, they're too impatient," said Koetsuji, approaching with a stack of folders under his arm.
"Uh? What do you mean?" asked the boy in the red jacket.
"I mean," continued the mustached master, "that to set up a personalized training program, we need to know our student's basic skill level.
In Kenichi and Miu's case, it was easier: Kenichi started training with us when his skills were practically zero, so we could track his progress step by step. On the other hand, Miu spent her entire childhood traveling the world with her grandfather, who trained her personally (a story surprisingly similar to yours); so we're well aware of her level.
But as for YOU, you're an unknown to us. But for cases like this, I've prepared a SIMPLE chart"—and with that, he pulled out a table full of complicated formulas and calculations, which no one dared question, fearing he might explain them in detail—"that will allow us to establish, with a reasonable degree of accuracy, your levels of physical strength, power, endurance, speed, reflexes, sensory abilities, and resistance to blows. These data will then allow us to tailor the training to your actual capabilities. In short, we'll need to run a series of physical tests."
"Mmmh...okay, let's get started."
A few minutes later, Ranma found himself holding up, with his arms raised above his head, a dozen steel girders, the kind used for building skyscraper frames (who knows where they got them). Even though Apachai added the last one, Ranma, stoic as he was, began to waver a bit.
"Arm strength...about 25 tons. Not bad," noted Koetsuji.
"Hey, Akisame, don't you think we should test his leg strength too?" Sakaki goaded him. Ranma shot him a glare.
"Leg strength is usually more than double that of the arms, but in fact," added the mustached man with a strange gleam in his eye, "for the most scientifically accurate data, it's better to verify."
Ranma now found himself lying on the ground, holding up, with his legs bent, a load of girders more than twice as heavy, with the added terror that they might fall on him.
"Leg strength...60 tons—you were right, Sakaki, it was worth checking, though I think he could reach 65—okay, Apachai, take them off."
To measure speed, they asked Ranma to sprint across the entire field from one wall to the other. Under the increasingly astonished eyes of Miu and Kenichi, the ponytailed boy disappeared from sight only to reappear on the other side; although Shigure had preceded him by enough time to be filing her nails on the arrival wall, which seemed to irk him somewhat. "Base movement speed...beyond supersonic level," diligently noted the Jujitsu master on his clipboard.
To measure striking power, they asked Ranma to punch a series of concrete blocks stacked one against the other, each one larger than the last: there were a dozen, and when Ranma hit the first one, the shockwave destroyed them all up to the sixth, causing some cracks in the seventh.
For sensory abilities, they first asked him to recognize how many kunai Shigure was throwing at a target at increasingly higher speeds, so fast they seemed to disappear from sight; and then, blindfolded, to identify where the sound of a bell, rung by Akisame, was coming from while everyone else made a deafening racket banging tree branches against discarded pots. Ranma passed the tests brilliantly.
They measured his endurance by having him run on a treadmill built by Akisame at a speed of 7/10 of his maximum, with a gigantic backpack full of 10 tons of bricks on his back, for 10 minutes straight. When he finally stopped, they observed how out of breath he was (and noted it correctly, despite Ranma trying to hide it out of pride).
To help him recover, Kensei suggested a supplementary test that involved expanding his aura to the maximum, so the masters could observe his control of Ki. Miu and Kenichi were terrified by Ranma's aura expansion, while the masters seemed impressed and pleased, but not overwhelmed.
The speed of his arm movements was measured (all the other tests had to be done without using any techniques or relying on Ki) by letting Ranma try to move his hands fast enough to PREVENT Apachai from popping an entire box of snacks into his mouth, one by one: the idea wasn't necessarily for him to succeed, but to measure how close he could get. Ranma managed to brush against the last snack, which still ended up in the Thai giant's stomach. Akisame continued writing.
With each new test, Kenichi grew more terrified, as he saw his own future in them: Ranma was clearly much more skilled than him, but one day Kenichi would be evaluated by the same standards, and he dreaded to imagine what hellish training he would have to endure to get there.
Miu was simply amazed. "Incredible...and to think he's only a little older than me."
As for the man himself, Ranma seemed increasingly frustrated. It was as if he was convinced he had to excel at everything, as he was used to, but instead, with each test, it seemed like he wasn't succeeding—or rather, that he wasn't doing enough. Or better yet, that he was doing well, but not the best. And this was a new experience for him, even though it wasn't the standard the masters were using to evaluate him.
Toward the end, they asked Ranma to dodge a series of strikes that Sakaki would deliver at progressively increasing speeds to measure his defensive reflexes. "Don't worry, kid," the karateka grinned, "I won't hurt you. I'll just use my index finger instead of a fist."
"Tsk! Sounds like you're UNDERestimating me!" the boy declared, beginning to dodge at an unreal speed, effortlessly evading Sakaki's flurry of strikes.
"Ooh, impressive!" said Kensei.
"Apa! Ranma is really good!" squeaked Apachai.
Akisame continued jotting down notes on his clipboard.
"Hmm... he's specialized in defense," observed Hayato.
Kenichi and Miu were speechless, watching the scene with their mouths agape.
However, Sakaki kept increasing the speed, along with the number and complexity of the feints he was using to try to hit Ranma. Concentrating intensely, with his eyes locked onto Sakaki's finger, Ranma continued to dodge every attack, making increasingly smaller and more precise movements, performing a complex mental calculation of distances and timing.
"Tsk! Not bad, kid!" Even Sakaki had to acknowledge.
But as the speed increased, it became too much.
Ranma kept dodging, moving faster and faster, his body almost a blur. He himself lost track of what he was doing, relying purely on instinct, until...
PUM!
Sakaki's index finger connected with Ranma's forehead, and the boy found himself sitting on the grass, his head spinning.
"Well, that took some time..." commented Kensei.
As Ranma was just starting to regain his sense of balance, he heard a familiar voice snicker, "What's the matter, kid? Did you slip? Come on, get up... don't act like a little girl..."
For Ranma, that was too much. If there was one thing he couldn't stand, it was being mocked. He sprang to his feet and leapt at Sakaki, unleashing a flurry of flying kicks, hovering in midair, completely forgetting his Sei fighter composure.
"You... BASTARD!"
Sakaki didn't flinch, and though it seemed like he wasn't moving at all, somehow, none of the blows landed.
"Apa! Ranma's angry!"
"Sigh! Sakaki... did you really have to...?" Koetsuji asked.
"Ohoh, the kid's got pride!" Hayato chuckled, clearly satisfied.
"WHAT? He's attacking one of the Masters! Has he gone mad?" Kenichi wondered, his eyes bulging out. "Of course! It must've been that comment about the curse that slipped out of Sakaki! Plus, we have to keep everything secret from Miu..."
"Ranma! It's dangerous!" shouted the blonde girl.
But Sakaki didn't seem bothered. "Good kid, I like someone who shows guts and character. You're just my type.
I'm so pleased I might even get a little excited..."
And with that, his eyes closed and a blissful expression on his face, Sakaki threw a relaxed right hook at Ranma. The punch was delivered so casually it seemed like he hadn't even moved, but a shockwave erupted from his arm, catching Ranma squarely in the stomach, doubling him over and sending him flying back a hundred meters, crashing through the roof of a shed.
Kenichi and Miu were in shock, their jaws practically hitting the ground.
"Oops! I was so happy I couldn't quite hold back all the way. And yet, it was just a tiny little punch, really..."
"Damn it! Ma! Akisame!" thundered Hayato.
"On it!" the two masters with medical skills responded in unison, zigzagging towards the shed.
"Apa! What a tragedy! We had a new student, and Sakaki killed him after just one morning! May his soul rest in peace..." Apachai began to wail, nailing a voodoo doll to a tree.
"He's not... dead," Shigure stated in her usual slow, eerie tone.
"Apachai! For the last time, STOP RUINING THE TREES!" roared Hayato. "And you, Sakaki! Did you really have to?"
"But... Elder! It was just one punch!" the scarred karateka protested, rubbing the back of his head, beads of embarrassment on his face. "A light punch—light, I swear! At 35% power. Maximum 40%, I swear..."
Miu and Kenichi clung to each other, their faces contorted in a Picasso-like expression of shock, unable to form coherent words.
From the shed, strange noises could be heard, along with Kensei and Akisame's ongoing commentary on the medical treatment, like a live radio broadcast.
"Hmm... only six broken ribs! And almost no damage to the internal organs, just a slight compression... the boy was well-trained, no doubt about it..."
"Yes, he only coughed up a modest amount of blood. With my medical techniques, he'll be as good as new within three days... if we're lucky, even two."
The world had gone dark. And then, slowly, and hazily, there was light again.
There are many ways to wake up.
Surely, there are worse ways to do so than finding yourself face-to-face with Miu's concerned expression, angelic as ever, leaning in close, her chest bouncing, her expression changing to one of joy upon seeing that you're okay.
"Ranma! Thank goodness you're waking up! We were all so worried!"
"Mmmmh… you're… Miu, right? We haven't been… formally introduced. Nice to meet you, Ranma Saotome… under the circumstances, forgive me if I don't… bow."
"Oh, if you're well enough to joke, that means you're fine. Thank goodness, I'm so glad," the girl replied, waving her hand with a bashful smile.
"Miu Furinji, the pleasure is all mine."
"Where… where am I? What time is it?"
But it wasn't Miu who answered.
"You're in one of the central rooms, and it's three in the afternoon. You've been unconscious for about six hours," Akisame informed him, sitting on his knees in the shadows of a corner of the room.
"Th-three? I need… to get up," the boy with the pigtail said, trying to sit up.
"Ah… no, Ranma, hold on! You're still weak, your bandages might come undone," Miu said, concerned.
Akisame approached. "Your injuries aren't lethal or permanent, but they are serious. You should be grateful for your resilient body, or Sakaki's blow could have killed you. It's only thanks to the medical skills of Kensei and myself that you're already on the road to recovery, but you need to rest."
"How…? You two… are also doctors?" Ranma asked, skeptical.
"Yes, Akisame runs an osteopathy clinic, and Kensei works in acupuncture," Miu explained proudly. "Besides that, they both possess expertise in modern medical science and ancient traditional medicine, and by combining their knowledge and efforts, they can ALMOST bring the dead back to life… which has been useful on more than one occasion during Kenichi's training," she added, her tone shifting as she shot a stern glance at the master.
Despite everything, Ranma had managed to sit up somehow. In that position, he could breathe more easily. His torso was heavily bandaged, and a bandage wrapped from his chin over his head. Both legs had splints, but they weren't broken.
"First, you kill them, and then you heal them, maybe even charging them for it. Quite the full service," he commented with his usual sarcasm.
Miu smiled, embarrassed.
In truth, you don't know how close you came…
Akisame, completely serious, replied, "Martial arts are a dangerous practice. And they become even more dangerous when one is inexperienced, like Kenichi, reckless, like you were, when one lacks self-control, like Sakaki and Apachai, or when facing a deadly enemy who practices the way of Satsujinken. In short… there's almost always a need for us doctors," he concluded with a slight smile.
Ranma remained silent for a moment, then let out a deep sigh. "Alright, alright. I'll behave for a few days and start training when I'm healed. But in the meantime, can I at least take a walk on the porch to watch the others?"
"Normally, I wouldn't allow it for someone recovering," Koetsuji replied, "but in your case, I must say I'm impressed by your recovery rate—you might even heal a day ahead of schedule—so I'll allow you to take a stroll with crutches, if you promise to behave.
But first, don't you want to know the results of your tests?"
Ranma looked at him, puzzled. Tests? "Ah, you mean the trials? What's there to know? Did they go well or badly?"
Miu seemed excited. "Ranma-kun, they were incredible! The things you managed to do… well, they're way beyond Kenichi's level… and even mine!"
The boy with the pigtail was doubtful. He had already expected to be at a higher level than them. But was he strong, or were they not that strong after all?
And yet, he had just realized he wasn't that impressive compared to the masters… which perhaps confirmed that he was in the right place to train.
That devastating power… which surely wasn't even at 100%
He felt a shiver of joy.
Tsk! It seems the world of martial arts still has a lot in store for me, after all.
"So, these results?"
"Uhm—Akisame cleared his throat and built up suspense, as if he had a large audience in front of him. As he did, he pulled out his beloved clipboard—the tests were… truly remarkable, I must say. Compared to the average martial artist of the same age, and even most older ones, you're well above average.
What particularly surprised us is how well-balanced your various abilities—strength, speed, coordination, etc.—are. Ranma-kun, you've been trained impeccably and with great care up to this point."
Ranma reflected for a moment.
Had he never given old Genma the recognition he deserved for his work?
"As for your overall level," the mustached master continued, "all the data confirms the initial theory. Although we haven't been able to observe your technical skills—except briefly during your… impromptu skirmish with Sakaki—nor your special moves, and although it's normal for some abilities to be at a relatively higher or lower level…"
Miu and Ranma were burning with impatience. He wasn't a TV quiz show host, but Akisame seemed to be enjoying the moment.
"…I can state, beyond any reasonable doubt, that Ranma's level is HALFWAY BETWEEN EXPERT AND MASTER!" the philosophical Jujitsu master concluded triumphantly.
"OOOOH! That's amazing!" Miu exclaimed, impressed.
"Uhm… but what… what does that mean?"
The room went cold. Akisame lost all his enthusiasm.
"You… you don't know what these terms mean?"
"It was to be expected," Hayato interjected, emerging from the shadow of another corner. "If he didn't know the terms Dou and Sei, nor Katsujinken and Satsujinken, and if he himself says that the Grand Master of his style didn't personally oversee his training, it's understandable that he wasn't taught details of this kind."
"Elder…"
"Ranma-kun, martial artists are generally divided by level of physical, technical, and mental ability. Often these abilities, or some of them, present variations—for example, someone might have a higher level of strength but a lower level of speed—but more often they're fairly uniform across the board.
By convention, the 'Master' level doesn't just refer to someone who teaches martial arts, but to someone who has achieved full mastery of them, along with a high level of physical ability.
The various levels are:
Student (the level where Kenichi is still, but not for much longer)
Expert (the level where Miu is)
Master (the level you're approaching, though you haven't yet reached it)
Grand Master (the level of the teachers you see at Ryozampaku. Only a few dozen people worldwide can boast the title of Grand Masters. A Grand Master is as much more powerful than a Master as a Master is to an Expert)
Advanced Grand Master (a level only a very few reach, often inventing new techniques, possessing above-average physical abilities, and able to defeat even Grand Masters with relative ease)
Legendary Master (a level that very few in history have ever reached, and that only three or four people at most can claim in any era).
To give you an idea, both I and your late master Happosai can be considered Legendary Masters," he concluded with a broad smile.
Ranma was left speechless. Once again, since arriving at Ryozampaku, his mind seemed to explode. Everything he was being told was new, overwhelming, yet it all made sense, everything fell into place with what he already knew, like pieces of a puzzle.
His father might have reached the level of Master. Maybe not fully in terms of physical abilities—Ranma had already surpassed him in that aspect—but certainly in terms of skill. He had even invented original and powerful techniques like the Yamasen-Ken and Umisen-Ken.
Was Herb at the Master level? Perhaps even beyond that, but... no, it was more likely that only due to his immense Ki was he at the level of a Grand Master.
Even that bastard Saffron surely had an enormous amount of Ki, at the Grand Master level, but he was born with it. Physically, he wasn't that impressive, and without his Ki, he fought worse than a mere Apprentice.
Happosai was a Legendary Master. In fact, in his Giant Form, he could threaten the entire world. And Hayato was really on par with him? Damn, that meant he was that much stronger than everyone else?
What about the old hag Obaba? She seemed to be at the same level as Happosai... hmm, maybe not, but only because she couldn't, as far as Ranma knew, do anything comparable to the Giant Form... but she was definitely at least at the Advanced Grand Master level...
As for his friends? Akane was technically at the Apprentice level, even though she had physical strength at the Expert level. The others—Mousse, Ukyo, Shampoo, and maybe even Kuno—were all likely at the Expert level. They might have had individual stats that were higher or lower... That dense idiot Ryoga probably had brute strength and endurance at the Master level... but certainly not the technique or speed... Ukyo and Shampoo couldn't compare to Mousse and Ryoga, but they were definitely far superior to Akane... Kuno was weaker than the others, but stronger than her.
People like Shinnosuke and Konatsu could almost keep up with Ranma physically, but not in terms of technique. The same went for Ryu Kumon...
He had to stop before his head exploded, but the others sensed his internal musings.
Then, suddenly, he had an insight.
He asked the Elder, "And... the higher levels like Advanced Grand Master and Legendary usually have a more refined knowledge of Ki, don't they?"
Three pairs of eyes looked at him in surprise and admiration.
"Wow, kid, you never cease to amaze me. That's a very sharp observation, just minutes after learning about the concept and only hours after a head trauma... you're using your brain as well as your muscles!"
Ranma, not used to compliments, enjoyed them but was still burning with curiosity.
"Yes, indeed, it's like that. It's not exactly an absolute rule, but let's say it's more likely that a fighter can rise above the rest if they can master their inner energy. It allows them to use techniques others can only dream of and further enhance their physical performance."
Now it all made sense. Happosai wasn't just extraordinary; he had elevated himself by learning to use Ki like no one else. Ranma could follow that path too; he already had the aptitude.
It also became clear to him why he had been so easily defeated by Sakaki and why everyone was praising his test results. He was significantly stronger than others his age—which he had expected—but at the same time, he was one, if not two, levels below the masters of Ryozampaku. A grin spread across his face.
Well, otherwise, where would the fun be?
Wobbling a bit on his crutches—it wasn't the first time he'd used them, but he had just gotten up—Ranma reached the porch, from which he could watch Kenichi's training.
It was Kensei's turn, and he was forcing the young man to perform fairly complex moves with chains attached to his limbs, which had heavy iron balls at the ends, making him push forward with all his strength. Apachai was on the other side of the yard, juggling bricks and anvils. Shigure, surprisingly, wasn't hiding but was crouched in a corner, playing—Ranma imagined—with her mouse.
"Oh! The boy's already on his feet! He never ceases to amaze us," commented Kensei with a smile.
"What?-Kenichi, all sweaty, wondered, turning his head—he's already recovered after the hit from Sakaki-sensei? I can't believe it!"
"Is he really only a little older than me and Miu?"
"If you have time to think about him, you have excess energy," Kensei remarked, jumping onto one of the iron balls, making Kenichi's efforts more thoughtful.
"Argh!"
The others had also noticed Ranma's presence, making various comments.
Ranma stayed, leaning against one of the pillars, watching the training. He felt a bit melancholic not being able to start right away, but in the end, he'd only have to wait a couple of days. Since he was experimenting with new things, he might as well cultivate some patience.
Feh! What was happening to him? Was he maturing? Nah.
At first, he was lost in thought, watching without really seeing. But then he started getting curious about Kenichi. He was clearly a disaster—he had no natural talent, that much was obvious—but he was executing some fairly complex exercises. The only way they were getting him to perform them was by overloading him with incredibly heavy training methods—absurdly heavy for his current level, though for Ranma, they would have been a breeze—just to force him to execute the movements correctly.
Then they made him repeat them to exhaustion so he could learn them through muscle memory. Even so, the results didn't seem all that great. But it wasn't just that; there was something about the whole thing that didn't sit right with Ranma, something that felt off, but he couldn't quite pinpoint what it was.
Just then, Sakaki approached discreetly. He had his arms crossed and stood in a corner, in the shade.
"I heard you."
"I wasn't hiding."
"Feh! Anyway..."
"I see you're already on your feet. You're tough."
"I've been through worse."
"Hmm! I'm not sure whether to doubt that or be intrigued to know more about it," he said with his usual wolfish grin.
"A-anyway, I hope that little incident hasn't made you lose your will to train here." Ranma turned to size him up. The big man was embarrassed, and he was doing a pitiful job at hiding it.
"N-not that I care, but I think... it'd be a waste, you know, for everyone else. Apachai gets so sad when he doesn't have to train Kenichi, and Akisame always invents a bunch of gadgets that end up going unused."
"Well, would you look at this guy—Ranma thought—first he beats me up, and now he's coming up with a bunch of pathetic excuses to make me stay."
"No problem! I'm not going anywhere!"
"OH really? GREAT! I mean, the others will be happy, I think..."
"Heh... I really think this place... is just what I need to take my skills to the next level!" added the boy with the pigtail, his eyes gleaming.
Sakaki stood there, dumbfounded for a moment, then erupted in one of his booming laughs.
"UAH! UAH! Well said, kid! That's the right spirit!" And he gave Ranma a bone-crushing pat on the back.
"Oops! Sorry, got so excited I almost forgot about your injury."
"ANYWAY—the boy with the pigtail resumed, a bit annoyed—don't think I didn't notice."
"HUH? Notice what?"
"That earlier, during the exercise, you held back the acceleration of your attacks to let me adapt. That way, instead of suddenly jumping to a pace that was impossible for me, I could gradually evolve my visual reflexes. You act tough, but you were playing the teacher even during the test.
Hey!" he added, "You all better watch out, you know. I'll catch up to you sooner than you think," he declared with his usual arrogance, clenching a fist.
Sakaki was speechless. He lowered his gaze, then turned and walked away, muttering something about how Ranma must still be dazed from the hit and that all this talk was making him thirsty, so he was off to grab a beer.
Once he was out of sight, though, he opened one of his fists. Inside was a tiny tuft of hair.
His tuft, sticking out from the rest of his hair, had been cleanly cut in half. One of Ranma's kicks during the barrage had reached it.
"Tsk! I wonder if he's right..."
Author's Note:
Hi, everyone! Thanks for the kind words. As i mentioned, this fanfiction is already all finished-i've been publishing on an italian site in the past months-and i'm now in the middle of translating it; therefore, you can expect one chapter per week, more or less. Keep following!
This being said, be patient, still! Ranma is estranged from Nerima and everyone else, and there's a pretty serious reason for it! But, you'll only get to discover why over halfway through the fanfiction. You've been warned.
I've made this as a continuation of Ranma ½ story, imagining Ranma to be graduated, then stuff happened and now one year has passed since he graduated Furinkan. Perhaps, a prequel story to this fanfiction will one day see the light…but for now, enjoy the crossover between two of my favorite manga!
It was a SHAME that so few crossover exists between these series, and even moreso, that the interesting ones were never finished! At least, you WILL see the end of this 😉