United We Stand, Divided We Fall

Ranma arrived at his mother's house as the evening fell. Nodoka had never seen her son so shaken. And when she asked what had happened, he only gave short and evasive answers.
It was completely unlike his usual behavior. He was frantically turning the house upside down, searching for anything he might need, and quickly filling his large travel backpack with clothes, supplies, and whatever else could be useful.

"But... Ranma dear... are you leaving on a trip? So suddenly? What's happening? I thought that..."

"I'm sorry, Mother, but I can't explain everything right now. I'm in a rush, a terrible rush. All you need to know is that I must leave. It's absolutely necessary. It's a matter of life and death. I'll come back, but it will take some time. I don't know exactly how long."

"But... Ranma."

Ranma kept shoving things into his backpack haphazardly for a few more seconds. Then, slowly, he stopped.

Lowering his head, his back to her, he trembled.

What was he doing? Was he lying to his mother?

Again? Hadn't secrets, once more, caused this entire situation?

But how could he tell her the truth?

That it was none other than Hayato who wanted to crush him into pieces?

And him? Wasn't he ashamed? Running away from an enemy?

Leaving his home like a thief in the night?

Not a very manly behavior, was it?

He took a deep breath and calmed himself.
He owed her at least an explanation.
But it was all so difficult. The expectations. The damned expectations his mother had for him. It was so hard to live up to them.

"I'm sorry, Mother," he began, speaking slowly and still with his back to her.

"I'm aware this isn't how you'd want to see me. I have to admit that... I'm scared.
A terrible enemy is after me, and I have no intention of involving you in this mess.

For everyone's sake, we'll need to part ways for a while. But I will come back, I promise.
I'm... I'm sorry for disappointing you."

Nodoka stood there for a moment, shocked. Then she said,
"But Ranma, I'm... I'm not disappointed. I don't think that being afraid is a sign of weakness at all."

Ranma turned abruptly to look at her, too stunned to feel ashamed anymore.
"But how... I thought...?"

Nodoka looked at him, understanding, and gave a bitter smile.

"Oh, my son. Only now do I realize how much damage your father's teachings have done to you.

And perhaps... my expectations as well, I fear.

Ranma, EVERYONE feels fear. Anyone who has something worth not losing experiences it. Animals, humans... perhaps even the gods.

Do you think I wasn't afraid when we parted ways and you were so small? That I'd never see you again?

And yet, I did it anyway. I did it because I had faith.

That from that sacrifice, a better tomorrow would come.

If... walking away from this problem truly is the right course of action... then do it. You have my blessing. I trust you."

Ranma had calmed down and was staring at her with his mouth slightly open.

It was the first time he'd heard his mother speak like this.

Then Mrs. Saotome continued.

"I'm aware, not despite but precisely because I am the wife of a martial arts master, that throwing yourself into a danger you can't handle is stupidity, even madness—not courage."

She paused briefly to let the idea sink in, then resumed.

"But... if there is even the slightest chance that your problem can be solved, not necessarily by fighting, but in some—any—other way... as your mother, I insist that you face it, Ranma.

I don't want you to become the kind of man who runs from his responsibilities.

You don't have to be like... your father.

Not in that, at least."

Ranma began breathing slowly again. A new feeling was growing in his chest.

Was it... relief? Hope? The sensation of being understood?

"Ranma. Perhaps you've always believed that courage meant not feeling fear. That's wrong.

Courage isn't the absence of fear. Courage is doing things despite the fear."

Thump.

Ranma swore his heartbeat could be heard all the way out in the street.

Nodoka gave him a gentle smile and caressed him.

"Choose what kind of man you want to be, my son.

But know that, whatever you decide to do, your mother will always be proud of you."

Ranma stood before her for a moment that seemed to last a lifetime.

Then he threw himself forward and hugged her tightly. Nodoka returned the embrace.

In the grand central hall of Ryozanpaku, an unusual scene was unfolding.

Saiga Furinji, in all his splendor but wearing a troubled expression, sat in the center, in the spot that usually belonged to his father.

All the Masters and Disciples (except Ranma and Hayato, of course) were seated in a semicircle around him.

Mousse and Kuno had returned to Ryozanpaku fairly quickly, though they seemed perplexed about the reason for the sudden summons.

The two of them, along with Ryoga, had never seen Saiga Furinji before, nor had they officially even heard of him.

Kenichi now realized he felt a bit uneasy in Saiga's presence, a man he had always greeted with joy during their few previous encounters.
He glanced at Sakaki, who looked annoyed at being called back, and Apachai, who was hugging his knees and clearly very worried.

Miu, however, was calm and resolute.

She stared directly at her father, awaiting instructions.

She was ready to act. SHE HAD to act.

Everything would return to normal—that was destiny.

Or she would FORCE destiny to bend to her will. The blood of the Furinji family was running through her veins like liquid fire at that moment.

Saiga noticed his daughter's determined gaze and smiled, satisfied with her growth.

He began to speak: "Thank you for coming here on short notice, despite the situation. Akisame has informed me of every detail of recent events.

For those who don't know me, I am Saiga Furinji, Hayato's son, the Elder of this dojo, and I am Miu's father. Let me simply say that I once walked in the Shadows... and I am now spending the rest of my life atoning... and keeping watch over those same Shadows, to ensure they never manage to snuff out the light."

Ryoga and Kuno stared at him in amazement. Mousse, a bit less so.

"Now, regarding the most pressing matter, the fact that my old man has lost his mind and is trying to kill Ranma—whom I briefly met about a month ago for... ehem... having some fun with my daughter—is undoubtedly serious, but..."

Miu couldn't help but blush, but she would endure it if it meant resolving everything. In truth, everyone noticed how Saiga seemed to have a much more open-minded attitude about the situation—as if the matter itself didn't bother him much—and was treating the grave consequences like a caries to be removed quickly and efficiently.

"We don't have time for this!" Kensei burst out, usually calm and composed. "I'm worried about Ranma too, and I dread to think of the damage the Elder could do if he unleashed his fury in Tokyo... they'd probably call in the National Defense Forces... but the real emergency is my daughter Renka's disappearance!"

Who could have kidnapped her? And why? And to think it happened practically under my nose!"

He clutched his chest, distressed.

His daughter Renka. His beloved daughter.

For the most part, Kensei had been an irresponsible father, abandoning his family to dodge the responsibilities of the organization he belonged to and to be free to chase women and watch pornography.

But in that moment, none of that mattered.

His eldest daughter, his precious Renka. The responsible one. She had been living in Japan for two years, and he'd thought he'd never have to worry about her.

Until now.

"I'm here for that, Kensei, I assure you," Saiga confirmed. "After all, I'm a father too, and I completely understand your feelings."

Kenichi recalled when Miu had been kidnapped by Jenazad, and Saiga had gone all the way to Tidat to save her, disguising himself as a mercenary and keeping it a secret from everyone. At the time, he hadn't even met his daughter, who had been raised by Hayato.

If something like that happened today—now that he knew her and had rebuilt a relationship with her—there was no doubt he would move heaven and earth to save her.

"But the point is," continued the blond giant, "the investigation I was conducting, about which I informed you through Ranma last month, and Renka's kidnapping… are undoubtedly connected."

Gasps of surprise rose from all around.

For Kenichi, Miu, and the students, it was also shocking to discover that Ranma had acted as a go-between for Saiga and the Ryozampaku, but they said nothing.

Akisame preempted any objections.

"Yes, that's correct. Saiga contacted Ranma and used him to send us a message about his investigation.

Please don't hold it against him. It was the Elder who ordered him to remain silent."

Miu and Kenichi appeared, to varying degrees, displeased, but they remained silent. For different reasons, neither Ranma nor Hayato were on their list of favorite people at the moment.

Sakaki intervened:
"You mean the case of the arms smuggling at the port, which was actually a cover for importing those mysterious chemicals from Southeast Asia? What did you find out? Did you infiltrate the research center you mentioned?"

"Yes and no. I infiltrated it, but I didn't uncover everything. With those chemicals, they're conducting experiments… trying to create a certain formula—or rather, to recreate a pre-existing formula.

For a long time, they hadn't succeeded. As for the nature of this formula, we can only speculate… although, given recent developments, it's not out of the question that they've already succeeded but kept the news under wraps.

They might have started mass production while continuing fake experiments to mislead spies… Very clever, actually. Worthy of Yami."

He paused before continuing:
"But I have another piece of information that will certainly interest you: The Eight Shining Executioner Blades have arrived in Japan two days ago… and perhaps they didn't come alone."

"What? But… we thought that when they made their move, we'd notice!" Akisame exclaimed, shocked.

"I only just found out myself; otherwise, I would have warned you earlier. Apparently, they've perfected methods to infiltrate a hostile country without being detected.

But the real issue isn't that they've entered Japan. It's that they'll leave… and when they do, they won't be leaving alone!"

Ranma leaped onto the perimeter wall enclosing the courtyard of Kisara's parents' mansion. It was nine in the evening on a late April day, and darkness had fallen just over an hour ago.

As he caught sight of the training area where he'd been coaching her for the past six months, he felt another pang in his chest.

Come on, Ranma. Don't get sentimental. It's not like you'll never see her again. At least, I hope not.

[ A LITTLE EARLIER]

After pulling away from his mother's embrace, Ranma wiped away a tear and gave Nodoka a warm smile. Then he said:

"Thank you, Mother. Now… I know what I have to do.

But… honestly, I don't think the situation will change drastically: there's still a chance I'll need to leave for some time.

What will change, though, is the way I'll face it.

First of all, I'll try to resolve everything diplomatically.

Secondly… in any case, I won't leave like a thief; I'll sort out all the loose ends I have.

There are… people connected to me who deserve to know what's going on. I can't just disappear without telling anyone."

"Well said, my son. Remember: a true man can still be manly even in the blackest defeat, but a coward remains a coward even when carried in triumph." ]

It was strange that, of all people, Kisara was the one who had come to Ranma's mind.

It would have made more sense to say goodbye to Miu… or anyone else.

But Kisara was his student, and he had slowly built a deep connection with her, something that still amazed him.

So it wouldn't have been right to leave without an explanation.

If he had to leave town (or if negotiations with Hayato failed and he ended up in the hospital—or worse), the girl deserved to know why Ranko was no longer there.

She deserved to know that her teacher hadn't simply abandoned her.

More than that: Ranma had decided to tell Kisara the truth, no matter the cost.

After all, it had been secrets that had ruined things for him once again (despite his promise that it wouldn't happen again), so perhaps the best way to act was to have no more secrets with anyone.

Kisara deserved to know that Ranma and Ranko were the same person.

Of course, it was likely the revelation wouldn't sit well with her and would upset her.

Despite genuinely caring for his student, Ranma told himself that precisely because of that, he had to be honest with her, even if it would hurt at first.

After all, if he disappeared—or worse—Kenichi and Miu would have to tell her anyway… so it was better she heard it directly from him.

Before leaving his mother's house, he'd eaten (she had made his favorite dishes) and taken a shower.

He had then dressed in the outfit Renka had tailored for him and equipped every single gift his friends had given him after his promotion to Master.

Each item was useful for various situations.

With those tokens of their affection on him, he felt stronger and more confident.

He had packed his backpack with clothes, money, and provisions and left it in the bush where he usually hid his water jugs for transformations, promising himself he'd grab it later—whether to escape or after resolving everything.

He had also told Nodoka to check the bush after two days. If the backpack was gone, it meant he had left but was safe.

Ranma and Nodoka had parted with affection, reassured by the thought that it was a farewell and not a goodbye.

Now Ranma was nearing Kisara's house, carrying a bucket of cold water and a kettle of hot water for the demonstration.

It was around 9:30 PM on April 26th.

But he realized something was off. As he discreetly made his way through the large park, he saw lights suddenly turning on in the house.

Then shadows flitted past the lights. In the distance, he heard noises.

Then… screams?

He dropped everything and dashed forward, alarmed.

The lights turned off again.

The house loomed larger as he approached… but too slowly.

He crashed through a window, shattering it.

If he was wrong, he'd have a lot of explaining to do.

No alarms went off. The rooms were dark again, but the hallways were cold… a draft.

He rushed in that direction until he reached the entrance.

The door was wide open. He heard a car screeching away in the distance.

Two people lay on the ground. He quickly checked on them, worried.

They were alive, thankfully, but unconscious. He recognized the smell of chloroform.

It was a man and a woman in their mid-forties: undoubtedly Kisara's parents. The father, before fully losing consciousness, mumbled:
"Cough… my daughter… they… took her…"

There was no need for anything else.

Once he made sure they were not in life-threatening danger, Ranma gently laid them on the ground and literally flew out the door to chase the car that had just taken off.

It wouldn't be difficult: with the screeching sounds of its brakes at every turn as it sped at full throttle, even a blind man could have guessed the direction.

Moreover, following a moving car wasn't too difficult for him.

To save time, he leapt onto the rooftops of the villas and began jumping from one to the next to proceed in a straight line, gaining ground because the car was forced to turn.

Then, when he spotted it, he began running at full speed to catch up.

"WHAT DID YOU SAY?!" Sakaki's shout drowned out even the cacophony of voices that had erupted after Saiga's announcement.

"Unfortunately, it's true.

The Yami is planning to… abduct all the most promising martial arts Disciples in Japan,

take them abroad,

and force them to become the new members of the Yomi… their youth organization."

"That's… that's atrocious!" Miu exclaimed.

"Those… damn bastards," said Kenichi, clenching his fists.

"My… my Renka is in their hands?" Kensei groaned.

"APA! We won't let them do that!" Apachai promised with determination.

Even Akisame seemed to be holding back with difficulty, while Sakaki clenched his fists so hard his knuckles turned white.

Ryoga was stunned. Were the Ryozampaku's enemies really such despicable people?

Even Kuno looked surprised, while Mousse made a strange grimace that didn't escape Saiga's notice.

"Unfortunately, there's no doubt about it," continued the blond giant. "After the Eternal Sunset incident, with the defeat suffered by the Yami and, above all, the defection—caused by you—of no less than SIX One Shadow, Nine Fists Masters and their respective Disciples, plus the death of one of their leaders, Senzui, and my own earlier defection, the organization has suffered a significant setback in terms of numbers.

If they want to continue their activities and not lose influence and prestige in the criminal underworld—with their financiers, clients, corrupt governments supporting them, and so on—they absolutely need to replenish their ranks.

But what I want you to understand is that the real challenge isn't so much finding new Masters… sure, they're not easy to come by… but there are others in the criminal world who can replace those who defected, even if they're not as strong.

No, the real difficulty lies in finding promising Disciples.

There aren't that many who have the potential to grow into Masters themselves one day… you need to cultivate the next generation if you want to pass on martial arts!"

"Just as we've always done," Akisame confirmed.

"Exactly. And since skilled Disciples are scarce, and it was One Shadow, Nine Fists that suffered the most losses… they are primarily looking for martial arts Disciples specializing in hand-to-hand combat.

However, for the same reason, the Eight Shining Executioner Blades have taken the lead in the Yami, as they are currently in the majority.

So, on the one hand, they are handling the operation… and on the other, I believe they also have their own 'shopping list' to capture young practitioners specializing in weapon-based martial arts."

"That's why they were keeping such close tabs on us. And not just us, I imagine…" Sakaki said.

"But also…" Miu began.

"…the Shinpaku Alliance?" Kenichi concluded, stunned.

"Yes, it's almost certain," Saiga confirmed. "After all, your friends were directly selected by Ogata Isshinsai of the Yami; they are people with great talent in martial arts… they are definitely among the chosen targets!"

"Then… we have to stop them from being taken, we have to—"

"Hold on," Saiga interjected. "If we simply went to retrieve them to prevent their abduction, scattering in every direction, we might just arrive too late and lose track of them entirely.

No, fortunately, I have gathered valuable information: I KNOW WHERE THEY WILL BE TAKEN.

Since by now they might have already been kidnapped, it's better to go directly to rescue everyone in one place. At least we'll be sure not to leave anyone behind."

"Then what are we waiting for?" Kensei exclaimed, standing up.

"Exactly, let's go!" Kenichi said, leaping to his feet. His apathy had completely vanished.

"You and Miu won't be coming," Akisame stated calmly.

"WHAT?!" the two shouted in unison.

"You heard me perfectly well, and you also know why," Akisame replied. "Those people aim to abduct strong Disciples, and they would undoubtedly jump for joy at the idea of taking the granddaughter of the Invincible Superman and the Strongest Disciple in History.

It would be truly foolish to dive into the lion's mouth and hand them such a gift.

I completely understand how frustrating this is for you, but this is also a way of fighting. You'll have to endure and stay here."

Kenichi and Miu were brimming with worry and anger.

"Tch… something like this had to happen right now… when the Elder… and Ranma…"

"Oh, but it's NO COINCIDENCE that it's happening now," Saiga said serenely.

Faced with protests and bewildered looks from everyone, he elaborated.

"Last month, I contacted Ranma to meet him and give him a message for you.

But he didn't relay the message entirely.

I had intercepted a phone call and was convinced that… one of these three was a traitor working for the Yami!" and he pointed at Mousse, Ryoga, and Kuno.

"What?!" Ryoga protested, indignant.

"Tatewaki Kuno has nothing to do with scoundrels who abduct maidens like the sweet Renka!" the samurai exclaimed.

Mousse, on the other hand, furrowed his brow but said nothing.

"I know," Saiga confirmed. "And now I'm convinced as well; otherwise, you wouldn't be sitting here comfortably but hanging upside down in a cellar being interrogated.

Ranma, however, never doubted you.

In fact, he didn't even tell his Masters."

Nine pairs of eyes were wide with astonishment.

Ranma-san kept something like that from us? Miu thought.

"Hmm… by doing so, he put us at significant risk," Akisame weighed in.

"Oh, I could have stopped him, or warned you in another way, had i wanted," Saiga clarified.

"But the boy was genuinely indignant about my suspicions and convinced that his friends couldn't have anything to do with it, so he believed I must have misunderstood the message.

He said something like, 'We've been through the fire together…'"

Kuno, Ryoga, and Mousse looked surprised to hear the trust Ranma placed in them. They hadn't expected it to go that far.

Damn Ranma. And now how are we supposed to avoid getting involved?

"So," Saiga continued, "I decided to trust his judgment, since both my instincts and my daughter's indicated that Ranma was trustworthy. Even if my daughter's opinion… might have been biased, mine wasn't."

Miu blushed again at that remark.

Kenichi jumped to his feet, as if struck by a realization.

There was… in fact, one of them that Ranma didn't trust at first…

"But… what was the message? Why, Saiga-dono, do you say the timing wasn't coincidental? Why did you think there were traitors—" and Kenichi's gaze flickered toward one of the three, recalling a detail—"who would contribute to the operation? And in any case, they were all here when Renka was kidnapped…"

"Because the message I intercepted said that

one of the Disciples would disrupt the harmony that has always existed at the Ryozampaku, and that would be the perfect moment to strike.

Apparently, Ranma-kun was right, in a sense.

In fact, I DID misinterpreted the message.

I assumed it was about one of the new Disciples, but…"

Ranma hadn't stopped for a second and had never lost sight of the car.

How is it possible that someone kidnapped Kisara? It doesn't make any sense!

Well, as soon as I catch them, I'll shake them up good and make them spit out the truth!

At a certain point, however, near the southern outskirts, the car stopped in a side alley.

The pigtailed boy crouched atop a lamppost, ready to strike.

However, what he saw was rather strange.

A stretcher emerged from the car, carrying a sort of... transparent crystal coffin, inside which Kisara lay, sedated, as confirmed by the respirator mouthpiece fitted in her mouth, connected by a tube to a tank. Half a dozen men in armor resembling Special Forces but without insignias stepped out.

He was about to leap on them, but suddenly, a larger, all-black van pulled up alongside them.

From it emerged a dozen men of the same type and a second stretcher... with an identical crystal coffin.

Except that the other Sleeping Beauty was Renka!

WHAT?! But how... how did this happen? The last time... I saw her running out the door because of Kenichi's words, but...

The men began talking among themselves.

"Everything went smoothly?"

"Like clockwork. And you?"
"Well, we didn't capture her ourselves. One of the Blades did.

But we were tasked with escorting her because she's valuable merchandise—go figure, Kensei Ma's daughter from Ryozanpaku."

"Really? And the Blade got her from inside Ryozanpaku?"

"Of course not, idiot; she walked out. Apparently, the students had some love quarrels, stuff like that... which even caused fights between the Masters. The girl ran out, and the Blade got her before they could bring her back, that's all."

"But how did he know the right moment?"

"Well, he was already watching them... we spied on them for months and knew their little, dirty secrets... we knew it was only a matter of time before internal disputes broke out."

What? Then...

Ranma and Kenichi, miles apart, one in thought, the other in words, simultaneously expressed the same realization.

Kenichi understood the story's implications.

Yami knew about their romantic rivalries.

"Then..."

Ranma: "There was no traitor!"
Kenichi: "There was no traitor!"

Both: "Or rather, the person who caused the chaos between us... which they exploited..."

Ranma: "THE TRAITOR IS ME!"
Kenichi: "THE TRAITOR IS ME!"

Both blamed themselves for the situation, using the exact same words.

"It's all my fault!" Kenichi berated himself. "I must help save them! They're my friends!"

"Don't take blame you don't deserve, kid," Sakaki scolded him with a sharp look. "The fact that you can't handle emotions and feelings is one thing, but the rest was entirely Yami's doing!

Looking at it, they would've kidnapped all the others anyway, without us even knowing! The only one caught up in this who might've been safe otherwise is Renka, probably; and I promise Kensei those bastards will pay for that.

But your friends from the Shinpaku Alliance would've been taken whether or not you argued.

Sure, Yami was likely hoping for something like this to happen to keep us from reacting; a sort of extra insurance.

But in the worst-case scenario, we still could've woken up one morning to discover they'd kidnapped your friends right under our noses overnight, and by then, they'd already be out of the country."

The Chinese Master stood up. "You're right, Sakaki, but it doesn't make me feel better. Let's go, Ryozanpaku, we've wasted enough time.

And you, Kenichi," he turned to his student with a smile, "even though I'm upset with you over Renka's sadness, I don't blame you for her kidnapping.

Maybe Sakaki is right, or maybe they intended to take her from the start.

But in that case, it could've happened anytime... while she was out with friends or grocery shopping...

But regardless, I consider all my students as my children, and since I've already lost one tonight, I don't want to lose any more.

You and Miu will stay here; the matter is closed."

The two teenagers showed signs of frustration as everyone else rose to leave.

Akisame instructed them to barricade themselves in the main building, activating all security measures.

Both he and Sakaki would keep one of his custom-made communicators in their ears, so they could stay in contact if needed.

Saiga, on the other hand, gave an inquisitive look at the three students from Nerima.
His charisma filled the room. But the three youths, unimpressed, responded with equally determined looks.

They had the air of people who didn't question their participation in the mission.
They were all fond of Renka, even though they had only recently met her, and they especially felt honored by Ranma's trust in them.
Even though they had only been part of Ryozanpaku for a few months, they were warriors and felt it was their duty to help their Masters in such a difficult task.
Moreover, both Ryoga and Kuno were friends with the Shinpaku Alliance members.

One by one, they all left. Silently, determinedly, like those going to war but very calmly—it wasn't their first rodeo.

Saiga was the last to leave, casting a sympathetic look at his daughter and the First Disciple:

"Guys, I understand this is hard for you... but I promise we'll save everyone.

Use this time to put your hearts in order and..." —both teenagers could've sworn the man was winking with his next words— "most importantly, reflect on the best way you can contribute."

That last sentence seemed to hide deeper meanings.

Then Miu and Kenichi were left alone in Ryozanpaku.

Ranma realized he couldn't intervene to save the girls without alerting their other accomplices, whose existence he didn't doubt.

If they had come to pick them up... almost certainly, all the other members of the Shinpaku Alliance weren't safe. Perhaps, by now, they'd all already been taken.

But he couldn't see them here. If he saved the girls now, he might lose forever the chance to find out where everyone else was.

He had to follow them. Find out where they were taking them, then intervene.

If it was too hard for him alone, he would contact Sakaki using the communicator he had been given, but he preferred not to do so right away.

He couldn't be sure the communication was secure.

He followed them discreetly from a short distance.

He couldn't believe that the situation at Ryozanpaku—the jealousy between Kenichi over his relationship with Miu and Kenichi's relationship with Renka (not to mention the Elder's reaction)—could have caused this disaster.

Yami predicted we'd end up fighting and took advantage of the situation to execute their plan.

That's what Saiga was talking about, even though he hadn't discovered everything.

They knew a divided Ryozanpaku wouldn't be able to oppose such a plan: the simultaneous kidnapping of many people, all over Tokyo.

And it all happened because of me! If I had never come to Ryozanpaku... this wouldn't have happened!

What kind of hero am I? I caused this situation!

I'll save the kidnapped, and then I'll disappear from their lives forever! They'll be better off without me!

Haruo Nijima woke up with a start.

Kenichi had long claimed that his schoolmate possessed "alien" superpowers—a sort of sixth sense for detecting trouble and analyzing situations.

It was precisely that sixth sense that had woken him up. And yet, there was no one around.

Nijima was also an excellent computer technician and had set up a highly sophisticated computer at home that was always on, connected to the systems of both the Shinpaku Alliance and the Ryozanpaku.

The first thing he did upon waking was to check his phone.

It wasn't there.

A cold shiver ran down the back of his neck.

He went to look for the second phone he kept as a backup.

That one wasn't there either.

Now he was definitely on edge.

He frantically searched for the third phone he usually kept hidden—and finally found it.

Feeling somewhat reassured, he turned it on and tried to contact his subordinates, but no one answered.

Worse still, it seemed there wasn't any signal at all.

He turned to his computer and unlocked it with his password.

On the screen appeared a map of Tokyo, with about twenty blue dots.

Each dot indicated the position of a member of the Shinpaku Alliance.

Nijima had secretly embedded tracking devices in all of their phones to monitor their movements in case of emergencies.

Without telling them, of course. But it was for their own good. Obviously.

However, the dots began disappearing—one by one.

It was as if the phones were being destroyed, one after another.

Cold sweat trickled down Nijima's face.

They were under attack!

This is bad. I need to warn Akisame at the Ryozanpaku…

Before he could act, a hand grabbed him from behind, pressing a chloroform-soaked cloth over his mouth.

The strategist of the Shinpaku Alliance struggled only briefly before slipping into unconsciousness.

"That was easy," said one of the two men standing behind him.

They were dressed like riot control officers, clad in black protective gear but without any insignia.

"Yeah, but this guy was clever. We couldn't find his third phone, and we didn't have enough time to crack the password on his computer.

We had to let him notice us to make him wake up and do it himself.

And look at this. He was spying on his own companions.

What a paranoid little bastard. Almost at the level of Yami. Almost…"

The other man broke the boy's phone in two with his bare hands and began tying him up tightly and gagging him.

"So, what now? Should we take him with us?"

"No, it's not necessary. He's not on the list.

However, the bosses specifically instructed us to do two things," said the first man, sitting down at the computer and pulling out a USB stick and a disc.

He inserted the USB into one of the ports.

"The first is to copy all the information on this machine."

"And the second?" asked the other man, who had just finished turning the Supreme Commander of the Shinpaku Alliance into a bound sausage hanging from the ceiling.

"The second," said the technician, watching the blue dots vanish rapidly from the screen as the green progress bar on the data transfer climbed to 85%, "is to erase everything on here after copying it."

"Got it. I'll go retrieve the signal jammer we set up to block phone communications and let the men outside know everything's under control."

"Understood. Go ahead. I'll be right behind you."

The technician quickly removed the USB stick and inserted the disc with the virus.

A deletion prompt appeared on the screen, and its progress bar filled rapidly to 100%.

If the plan was unfolding as intended—and there was no reason to doubt it—another Yami informatics team member was performing the same operation on the other computer Nijima kept at the Shinpaku Alliance headquarters.

After removing the disc to avoid leaving any traces, the technician stood up and cast a glance at the pathetic figure of the boy, now tied up and unconscious.

It's strange to think the bosses were so intent on neutralizing this guy. Apparently, they feared his strategic and organizational skills. Most of our targets work under him, as absurd as that might seem.

Anyway, by tomorrow morning, when he wakes up, he'll have a nasty surprise waiting for him. He won't be the Supreme Commander of anything anymore. All of his subordinates will have vanished from Japan, never to return.

It's possible he's created a backup of his information on an external hard drive, but we don't have time to look for it.

Doesn't matter matter. Since we now know what he's discovered about us, in a week's time, that information will be completely worthless.

Also, police will be too busy to go search for the kidnapped boys and girls...after their Shinpaku Alliance base will be blown up in a half hour.

You're lucky, kid. Not many people cross paths with Yami and come out of it unscathed.

The man exited the room.

The two young practitioners were pacing through the rooms of the Ryozanpaku like caged tigers.

"It's no use getting all worked up," Miu said to Kenichi. "You heard what the Masters said, didn't you?

And let me remind you, the last time we disobeyed their orders, Shigure got captured!

And this time, we're dealing with the Shining Eight Executioners again! We don't stand a chance against those people!"

"I know!" Kenichi replied, frustrated. "But I can't just sit here doing nothing! I want to help somehow…in any way I can!"

He calmed himself and then looked at her.

For the first time in what felt like ages, they were alone.

And they hadn't spoken since the morning…

"Listen, Miu, I…"

"Kenichi, I don't want to talk about it right now," the girl cut him off.

"Of course. I…understand," he said dejectedly.

They turned their backs on each other and remained silent for what felt like an eternity.

Both were deep in thought, but in the end, it was the blonde who broke the silence.

"But, I wanted you to know," she began, "that I don't…that what happened with Ranma doesn't mean that…I mean, I…you must think now that…oh, I'm so confused!"

Kenichi gave her a bitter smile, yet he also felt a sense of relief.

She was still the same old Miu. Despite everything.

"Well, to be honest, I have to admit…I was angry before, and…jealous, and…just overwhelmed by everything.

I've spent the past month not believing what was happening—like I was living in some kind of waking dream.

But actually, Ryoga is right. I…I did almost the same thing myself."

So... I was wrong to take it out on you.

In reality... I have no right to... judge you. Or to tell you... how to live your life.

I thought of you as... my property. I never should have, and for that, I apologize.

I was just shocked. And hurt.

I made mistakes.

Maybe we both... made mistakes," he concluded, hopefully.

Miu struggled to express the doubt that had been hammering at her heart for months.

"But... was it really a mistake?" she said, immediately regretting it.

Kenichi's shocked expression pushed her to elaborate.

"I mean, maybe... when all is said and done... you and Renka... and me and Ranma... maybe, in reality, we really are..." She couldn't finish the sentence.

She didn't truly believe it herself, but she didn't want to dismiss the possibility outright.

To get past it, she had to consider the chance, no matter how improbable it seemed.

What if Kenichi was truly happier with Renka?

Was it fair for him to leave her behind to pursue me, again?

Miu, who was ashamed of what she'd done.

Ashamed of how she must have appeared in Kenichi's eyes.

Ashamed of how she'd broken their unspoken promise.

She had given in to passion with Ranma, but... she hadn't had the courage to tell anyone because... deep down, maybe... she didn't want it to be real?

More than anything, it felt like an escape from daily life. A chance to be free, happy, unburdened by responsibilities or ties, even just for a moment.

A kind of fairytale. An interlude.

Kenichi's eyes widened.

He stayed silent for a moment, searched his heart, and then said:

"I... I shouldn't have... misled Renka.
I regret it. I didn't do it on purpose.
It all... happened without me even realizing it. I just got swept up in events.

I'd never realized how she felt about me. And in many ways, I do like her.
In fact, for the past month, I tried to convince myself that it was fine. That this could have been the best solution.

But I was lying to myself, and this morning's incident proved it.

I don't think I... feel anything for her that's... similar to what I know I feel for you.
But you, instead... for Ranma... do you feel...?"

"I... no!
I don't know! I don't think so! Not... to that extent!"

The girl had to gather her thoughts.

"With Ranma... there's an understanding on various levels, I admit it.

But there's not... exactly love. It's...physical. and also...spiritual.

But not...love. I don't feel the need to be with him all the time.

I think he feels the same way.

It all started because... I was investigating his secret.
The fact that he transforms into a girl.

He decided to tell me willingly.
At the time... I was on bad terms with all of you because I had realized you were lying to me."

Kenichi looked hurt by that revelation.
"I... didn't want to... I mean, it was his secret, not mine."

"I know! I get it! But at that moment, I was angry.

And, feeling like I could trust him... I let go.

I did something I might have wanted to do anyway but would never have done otherwise."

She sighed.

"It was... passion. Nothing more.

On one hand, I... felt ashamed. For giving in... to instinct.

And maybe one of the reasons I kept everything secret, deep down...
was that I didn't want... YOU, of all people, to find out..."

She gave him a melancholy look.

Kenichi looked surprised.

Encouraged, even.

"And also because I KNEW how my grandfather would react," she added bitterly.

Yeah...

For a moment, they both thought the same thing.

"But Ranma... he'll be fine now, right?" Miu ventured.

"Oh, absolutely!
He's so skilled... he wouldn't let himself get caught... I think.
I hope."

A worried silence fell between them. Both imagined the worst.

It was interrupted by a BEEP, BEEP, BEEP that made them rush to Akisame's computer room.

They silently thanked that sound for breaking the awkwardness.

Kenichi had a general idea of how the computer worked.

He quickly tinkered with it.

"It's... a message. On a secure line. It's from Ryuto Asamiya!"

"Ryuto-kun? But how is that possible?"

"I gave him the means to contact us in case of emergency. It seems he wants to update us on something very important."

Ryuto Asamiya, Kenichi's childhood friend, former leader of Ragnarok, ex-member of Yomi, and former student of Isshinsai Ogata of Yami.

For months now, he had defected and was on the run from his old leaders, continuing to gather intelligence to fight evil, just like Saiga.

"He's warning us... about what's happening!

Apparently... he and Saiga have been working together on this case!

Wow! Saiga never even mentioned it to us! Maybe... Ryuto-kun is the mole in Yami's research center?"

"And what else does he say?"

"He says... he wants to give us an urgent last-minute update!

He writes:

WARNING.

THERE IS NOT ONE SINGLE TRANSPORT FOR THE KIDNAP VICTIMS.

THERE ARE TWO SEPARATE ONES.

AND THE SECOND ONE IS LOCATED..."

Both their eyes widened as they read the message and the location.

"You're saying half the kidnapped people will be taken out of Japan on one transport and the other half on another?" Miu exclaimed.

"That's terrible!

My father and the Masters have all gone to site no. 1. If there's a site no. 2... half of the victims will still be taken away despite their efforts!"

"Yeah, unless... we intervene to stop it!"

Hayato was flying back and forth across Tokyo, undoubtedly scaring residents and spawning urban legends that would endure for years to come.

Despite his sharp eyesight, he couldn't find Ranma anywhere. The scoundrel had seemingly vanished.

Truthfully, Hayato was glad he hadn't found him immediately, as he had calmed down a bit over the hours.

Of course, he still intended to beat him into a pulp, but now, at least, he wouldn't cause permanent damage... probably.

At one point, though, his sharp hearing picked up a familiar squeak.

He stopped on a flagpole atop an embassy, waiting for his little friend to catch up.

It was Tochoumaru, Shigure's ninja mouse.

Wrapped around its body was a strip of leather that held a rolled piece of paper.

"Probably Akisame begging me not to finish off Ranma... but let's see what it says."

But as he petted the mouse with one hand and unrolled the paper with the other, he froze.

What he saw weren't Japanese characters.

It was a coded message that only two people in the world could understand: one was him, and the other...

So my son Saiga asked Akisame to get this message to me. It could only have been dictated by him. This must be serious. It definitely concerns last month's warning. Let's see if I remember how to translate this...

When he finished, his eyes bulged out of their sockets, his back arched, and he let out a primal scream of rage to the moon.

It's said that the people of Tokyo told the story to their children for decades: The Howling Yokai.

But just as suddenly as it had come, it vanished. Slipping the mouse into a sleeve of his robe, Hayato rocketed off at breakneck speed in the opposite direction of where he'd been heading.

Ranma approached a ship at the harbor.

There were dozens of vehicles and at least a hundred men like the ones he had followed.

The loading of crystal coffins onto a massive vessel, which resembled a repurposed cruise ship, had begun.

Inside each coffin, he recognized his friends from the Shinpaku Alliance: Takeda, Ukita, Freya, Siegfrid, Thor, as well as Renka and Kisara.

Each of them was asleep, attached to a respirator, with the armbands that Shigure had crafted for them nearly a year ago placed on their chests.

One by one, the prisoners were loaded onto the ship.

Ranma also noticed that amidst the black-uniformed mercenaries in riot gear, there were others—stranger ones, who seemed like scientists—overseeing the loading of peculiar scientific devices with great care.

Damn it! I missed my chance! I should've freed those two immediately and then called the Ryozanpaku with the transmitter Sakaki gave me!
There's no way I can free all of them by myself in the middle of all this... ironically, it'd be easier to sneak onto the ship.
Or, I could contact the Masters now and hope they arrive in time before the ship sets sail.
But... who is that person? Her aura... it's even greater than that of the Ryozanpaku Masters!

A tall woman descended the gangway to oversee the operation.
She was Japanese, yet more voluptuous than any Japanese woman Ranma had ever seen.
She wore a traditional Jujitsu uniform that left little to the imagination, emphasizing her enormous chest.
Her long, straight, and shiny hair cascaded freely down her back.
Her eyes were narrow slits, cold—no, not cold, empty. As if she felt no emotion at all.

Is she... one of the Yami members? A Shadow, Nine Fists?

"Hurry up. The ship must depart in thirty minutes."

Her aura seemed to have an effect on the armored mercenaries. Ranma prayed she wouldn't sense him hiding behind the crate.

Suddenly, though, he felt another aura coming from the opposite direction.

And it seemed... familiar!

It was someone he thought he'd never see again.

She walked with a calm swagger, as if she owned the place, gently swinging a long, knotted staff in her hand.

Wherever she passed, the mercenaries couldn't withstand her spiritual pressure and collapsed instantly.

The puffy green robe, the red sash, the long white hair, and the mummified face.

Cologne had entered the scene.

What the hell is she doing here?

The Yami woman—Kushinada Mikumo, known as the Bewitching Fist or the Witch of Jujitsu—issued an order to her men while eyeing the newcomer with curiosity and respect.

"Step back, all of you, if you don't want to drop like flies. Gather your comrades, move away from there, and continue the loading.
It seems we have an interesting guest.

How did you learn about us? Did a little bird tell you?"

"No, a duck. Believe it or not."

"We live in truly strange times... It's been worth living this long."

"Umpf! So, it's like that.

Your youthful and alluring appearance is just a facade... that body has seen many springs, hasn't it?

I think I can guess who you are.

Many years ago... your country invaded mine... and the strongest martial artists were summoned by their governments to join the conflict.

I'd heard a strange tale, however...of a pair of Japanese fighters who defied their own government.

She was a Jujitsu practitioner with short hair, and he was a sort of savage with light hair..."

"Tch! Your intuition is impressive! However, that girl no longer exists.

She was young, naive, and idealistic. The passage of time made her realize her mistakes, and now she understands how the world should truly function.

The same passage of time that has turned you into a shriveled mummy, instead" she concluded maliciously.

"Or perhaps it's the opposite," Cologne retorted, irritated.

"These wrinkles of mine are indeed proof of my years...

And yet, time has not been wasted: the many experiences I've lived have gifted me great wisdom.

Whereas someone like you, who resorted to dark arts to delay aging... out of vanity...

Someone who tries to ignore the passage of time or deludes themselves into stopping it by erasing its outward signs—a foolish act akin to asking the Earth to stop orbiting the Sun—has certainly learned no valuable lessons from it.

How pitiful, to see an elderly person still reasoning like a youth, with the same arrogance and lack of judgment!

Surely, such a person is not someone to entrust with the future of martial arts!" she declared menacingly, beginning to swell her aura.

"So that's why you're here? To stop us? Because we have different views?

And yet, you don't seem like one of those fools who fights for justice and avoids killing..." Mikumo replied, increasing her aura in turn.

"No, indeed.

I follow the traditions of my village that have kept it prosperous and free for three thousand years.

And many of them are ruthless.

However," she added with a barely perceptible gesture toward where Ranma was hiding, "they are all based on the principle—no, the necessity—of passing down knowledge to the next generation.

And thus, preserving that knowledge... and those it is meant for!

In recent years, I've even found myself rooting for adversaries who were worthy... even helping them, against my own interest...

And this is because... I am a true Master in every sense of the word!

It comes naturally to me to help talented young individuals grow... to reach the level they're destined for.

They are the future of our world. A future that we elders—who have safeguarded the martial arts passed down to us in turn—must protect.

So, if young practitioners are threatened... like chicks prevented from spreading their wings... I will intervene!"

"Tsk! Do you really think you can stop us alone?" the woman asked sarcastically.

Kushinada had absolute confidence in her abilities—and rightly so: she knew she was on a level above the Ryozanpaku Masters, the Shadows, the Nine Fists, and the Eight Blades.

Only Saiga Furinji could match her, and only Hayato and Ouganosuke, the leader of the Blades, were clearly superior to her.

Yet she had to hide her surprise upon sensing that the old woman's aura was as powerful as her own.

Ranma began, imperceptibly, to move toward the ship, planning to sneak aboard while Cologne kept that monster at bay.

Whatever involvement Cologne had, he had to take advantage of the opportunity she was giving him.

"It's not necessary for me to stop you!" Cologne replied.

"To be clear, I'll do what I can, but then I'll simply leave the task to the new generation—the work they are meant to do!

After all, they must learn to fend for themselves sooner or later!"

Kushinada Mikumo looked around nervously.
"You don't mean to say that..."

"However," Cologne added before leaping to attack, "there is one thing that I, and only I, can do: and that is to ensure that you, at least, don't board that ship and sail away with it.

That way, those to whom I entrust the future... will have at least one more chance."

Mikumo understood. Her goal was a stalemate.

To keep her occupied for as long as possible.

"Interesting... Do you really think you can manage, old mummy?"

"Put me to the test, fake-young harlot!"

In an instant, the two women leapt at each other.

A massive explosion of Ki erupted. Anyone capable of perceiving it would have glimpsed hundreds of strikes exchanged at supersonic speed.

Ranma dove through a porthole on the ship and saw no more.

Author's Note

Well, this chapter has...everything.

Ranma's confession with his mother and her heart warming words-something i've long wanted to write-war meetings, Miu and Kenichi speaking about their feelings, Ranma wanting to save Renka, Yami's plans...and Cologne being a badass.

This is a crucial point, leading to the rest of the story.

So much drama, in different shapes, with both Ranma and Kenichi feeling guilty

Some lines that i'm proud of having written, TBH

Most of your questions will be answered next chapter, i promise. It's a chapter that has been born, unplanned, on its own, to clarify everything

And then, from the chapter even next...FIGHTS! Like no tomorrow

This is the final arc.

You're in for a wild ride ;)