Nerima Saints Chapter 2 “The long road”

The lawyer’s office was nicer than Nabiki expected, she was still processing the whole deal. A few hours before a black car and two guys in suit had come looking for her at the school gate, she had been reluctant to go with them, but couldn’t refuse them when they showed her the citation. They were from a respected and well established law firm and her presence was requested in their headquarters. She still didn’t know what could be the reason of her being in there, but there she was, resting in a comfty chair inside an elegant office at the eleventh floor of a tall building in the center of Tokyo awaiting for somebody to come in and explain.

She didn’t had to wait much more, the office doors opened and an older man in a suit entered followed by a tall and bald man and two more people wearing suits. Nabiki felt terribly underdressed, as she was still in her school’s uniform, and she hated feeling like that, had she received a forewarning she would have been more presentable.

The older man sat at the desk as others took sit around the office. “Since we are all present, I shall proceed to read the testament”

Testament? Nabiki almost lost her cool for a second, she didn’t know anybody with so much money that their last will required a premium lawyer, and apart from Happosai nobdy she knew had died recently. And the old pervert was a miserable man and a petty thief, and they weren’t exactly close…

“I Happosai ” the lawyer spoke confirming the girls suspicions and sending her straight into a surreal experience. It all started with the predictable stuff, leaving the title of school Grandmaster to Ranma, a set of documents and scrolls to Genma and a few of his trinkets to her Father. Then things went straight into the bizarre, as the lawyer began detailing an estate, bonuses, bank accounts and a trust that controlled a few small businesses and a foundation, For many minutes her senses shut down to any external stimulus, the words of the lawyer slipped past her ears without her understanding a single word. She was too busy processing everything, it was impossible Happosai could have so much money, and it was impossible it had anything to do with her. There were so many people who had a reason to be there before her. Her dad, her uncle, Ranma, even that old woman Cologne were more likely to inherit from him.

“…and thus I name Tendo Nabiki, born in…” the lawyer kept on reading “… as the executor of this will as well as the controller and main beneficiary of the trust previously detailed.”

He put me in charge? But why? Nabiki couldn’t believe what she just heard. Not that she would complain, but that didn’t make it any less strange. She needed to get to the bottom of this.

“Well, that means you come with me miss Tendo” the bald man interrupted Nabiki’s train of thought as he extended his hand. “I’m Tokumaru Tatsumi, I’m the director of the trust established by your grandfather.”

“He wasn’t my grandfather” she shook his hand. Or at least I hope he wasn’t.

…

“No!, No!, No! Not that way!” Marin was getting frustrated at her new pupil, had he just struggled not to break his hands she would have been able to get some progress out of it towards awakening his cosmos, but this... she didn't expected.

“You told me to break the rock!” replied Ryouga with his finger still extended at the point where the solid rock used to stand.

“But not like that” Marin picked a rock from the floor “I now see you are too good at destroying things to learn the principle of destruction, but you'll never become a saint if you don't learn it”, she proceeded to crush the rock with the slightest of the effort “Stop thinking with your muscles and start fighting with your soul. Feel the universe inside all things and yourself, become one with the universe. Did you understand?”

“I think I do” the lost boy turned towards another boulder “Bakusai Tenketsu!!”

“This is going to take a while...” said the silver saint with resignation.

…

Andromeda island was in chaos. The normal strong discipline and asceticism held by the students had been broken down by the arrival of a newcomer. It wasn't just the novelty of interacting with someone from the outside world but this was a fierce aspirant to amazon completely unlike the previous one who seemed to having been born to be a housewife and kept on cleaning and tidying everything behind the students. This new girl was a fury incarnated and demanded blind obedience from everybody who crossed paths with her. Two of the aspirants were just commenting while observing the contrast.

“You know Spica, it is a shame a cute and domestic girl ended up in here, sooner or later she is bound to suffer an horrific death. That is going to be such a huge waste”

“Keep telling yourself that Reda. I've never liked weak girls, and it was her foolish fault for coming in the first place. Now, this other girl, Kodachi...”

“But man, she is crazy! I wouldn’t want to have to face her”

“That is a risk worth taking.” Spica commented with pride. “But yes, I hope not having to face her either...”

…

“Fine, watch me closely this time.” said Marin “you don't just focus on rock's the weak point, feel the atoms of the rock and how they are miniature universes, then channel your inner self into crushing that structure.” she once again hit the rock turning it into debris. “Your sixth sense is already partially awakened so you shouldn't have problems with it”.

“Ok, focus on your soul, on the universe inside yourself” repeated Ryouga as he began meditating about stars, the cosmos and the meaning of life, and a glimpse of his cosmos let itself through his body and became visible, so he was prepared to strike and... “Bakusai Tenketsu!!” his index finger found the weak spot by instinct alone and the rock exploded.

“You were so close, why can't you just listen?”

“I'm sorry I just can't help it, everytime I'm going to hit it I see the weak point and just press it”

“Give me your bandana” spoke a very indignant Marin.

“Why do you want it for?” said Ryouga while handing over the piece of clothing.

“For this!” the silver amazon yelled in frustration as she tied it tightly around Ryouga's eyes

…

In the gelid and silent tundra a series of violent echoes resounded for miles, not the ones one would expect from a beast hurting its prey, but from something way more terrifying, they were produced by human fists, enraged human fists hitting human flesh. A very mad aspirant to saint was unleashing punishment against a fellow trainee.

“How you dare seeking sainthood for such a selfish desire?!” Issac was out of his mind while his victim laid down in pain, Mousse had never taken such a beating before, and that was saying something, nothing Saotome or the old mummy had done to him in the past could compare, and this guy hadn't finished his training!!.

“Saints are the keepers of peace and justice, and you say you came here just to get laid by a common wench?” Isaak kept on ranting while hitting even harder than before. However these words were the last drop, Mousse could endure anything they did to him, but would never tolerate someone badmouthing his muse, his inspiration, the girl he had dedicated his life to. Then he felt something building up inside, something beyond the ki and stronger than his battle aura. “Don't insult my motives!” the young joketsuzoku yelled as he stood “And don't dare insult Shampoo!!” And thus, he fought back...

…

“Faster, faster!” yelled Marin while throwing rocks at an inhuman speed to her blindfolded disciple “you are still too slow!”

“Ahhhh!” Ryouga kept on his efforts to block each and every rock with his punches. He had no idea how well he was doing it, having only Marin's word for it, as he not only couldn't see, but the training had also increased his already high pain threshold and he was having troubles feeling his hands making contact with the rocks.

“Enough of just using your muscles! Use your cosmo!”

“I'll show you my cosmo!!”

“I still don't see you break all of the rocks! Concentrate!”

“Arghhh!!!”

“Faster!!” Marin increased the speed “or you'll never learn the Ryu Sei ken!”

“Ranma is going to be very surprised when I surpass his speed” Ryuoga grinned just to receive an impact straight to the face.

“Don't get distracted!”

…

The old master Dohko watched from a peak above as the waterfall flowed with its natural force. Below his student stood in the waters, still reluctant to try what was being asked of him.

“I still think this is beyond me master” Ryu repeated “I don't feel ready”

“What is it that you fear? Haven't I taught you about the universe?”

“It is not, not feeling able, is not feeling worthy” the past experiences with his fellow student and the memories of his own selfish misdeeds filled his head. Of course that reversing the waterfall sounded impossible, but a boy turning into a girl by having contact with water, someone being as insanely resilient as Ryouga, and the most destructive techniques from his sealed art appeared equally unnatural, yet he witnessed all of them. No, what worried him was the darkness in his own heart, the possibility of giving in to such evil desires. How could he be trusted with the power of a saint?

“Don't surrender to dark thoughts Ryu. They will only drive you towards failure. If you manage then you are worthy, as simple as that. Now don't hesitate anymore, Do it.”

“You are right master” Kumon concentrated once again, remembering everything that led to this moment, how the messenger managed to reach him despite he being a homeless wanderer, how he nearly threw away the letter, and how fate lead him to the Tendo dojo, the new friend he made there -the only one he could remember- and the promise to come back stronger. Then he also remembered the struggle to be accepted by the master, the long and hard training and his fight against the deceptive disciple. After coming this far he wasn't going to settle for failure. No, he wanted to succeed; he wanted to return not only as a saint, but as a better version if himself.

“Rozan Sho Ryu Ha!!”

…

“I’m home!” Nabiki entered the tea room of the Tendo residence for the first time in weeks. She had been traveling and visiting the different buildings and businesses that were under the trust left by Happosai. She was carrying a few packets and bags.

“Oh! My daughter!” Soun left completely the shogi game he had been having with the Panda and hurried to hug her barely containing the tears “you are home again! I was so worried for you!”

“Yes, I’m back Daddy.” Answered Nabiki while struggling for air.

“Welcome home Nabiki, how was your travel?” Her older sister greeted her.

“It was wonderful sis, next time I’m taking you with me too. And I won’t accept no for an answer” Nabiki managed to slip her head out from between the paternal expression of love.

“Oh, but there is too much to do here.”

“I don’t think you understand it Kasumi, we are rich! You don’t need to keep doing the housework.” Nabiki finally got out of her father’s grip. “I brought gifts for you and Akane!”

“Who would have thought the old master was drowning in money?” said the Tendo patriarch for the nth time. “I still can’t believe it.”

“I guess that being a thief for so long paid off in the end” Genma produced one sign after another “After all he is been active since the time of the shoguns”.

“Oh that reminds me” said Nabiki “This is for you uncle Genma” she delivered a bundle to the panda “Happosai left it for you. I have another one for Ranma, have you seen him?”

“He is training in the dojo.” Said Kasumi “he is being at it non-stop since the funeral”

“Hey Nabs!” Ranma stormed into the room “do you have something for me?” he was very anxious and eager, like a little child at Christmas who can’t wait to tear open his gifts.

“Oh, yes. Happosai left this for y…” Nabiki didn’t get to finish the sentence, as Ranma practically ripped out the bundle form her and hurried out of the room.

“Thanks Nabs!!”

“I wonder what is inside that package that interest him so much.” Commented Kasumi.

“I don’t know, knowing him is just a scroll in his ugly letter naming Ranma the heir to his school. What else it could be?”

“It is wonderful to see Ranma taking his role as Heir to the school so seriously.” said Shoun with a smile.

“Yes, very much”

…

It was a dry and hot day in the arena. Casios the giant awaited in one corner just in front of his mentor the Ophiuchus saint, the other corner instead, looked empty with only Aquila Marin but no trace of her student. The Pope stood with his arms crossed and part of the audience had already left. “Master, it is evident he has left the sanctuary because he was afraid of facing Casios.”

“If that is true, then we will have to look for someone else to fight him, I cannot name him Saint before he faces a tenth opponent”

“Wait! Wait!” a very hurried Airoria came running while dragging along an equally hurried Ryouga

“Don't disqualify this one just yet! Is this way you moron!!”

The two of them finally managed to reach the arena “I'm sorry, I got lost!”

“That's an excuse, Master. I'm sure he cowered and only came here because Aioiria found him and made him come.”

“Is that true?” asked the Pope.

“No, no, I would never run from a man to man fight!”

“If that's so, then why are you wearing that backpack?” accused Shaina.

“If I may have a word sir” said Airoria “It doesn't matter if he cowered or not, he is here and seems eager to fight. Coward or not”

“Again I'm not a coward!” Ryouga wasn't taking it well “I always carry my backpack just in case I get lost! You have to believe me sir!” at this point he was already grabbing the Pope by the tunic.

“Um, ok, we can proceed with the fight just don't do that again, ever...” said the master removing the lost boy's grip off him. He really had a strong grab. Recomposing himself he spoke “With all this madness I forgot what I was going to say. Just fight and the winner will earn the bronze Pegasus cloth”.

“So, I just have to win and I'll become a saint” Ryouga's thoughts focused on the stone box by the master of the sanctuary. So focused, Casios intuited he would be able to grab him by surprise and made his move to catch the lost boy. However... his open hand was greeted by an incredibly strong punch which stopped it cold, Ryouga had sensed the danger and reacted with great speed, the impact was such that the giant could feel all bones on his wrist being crushed and pulverized by it and screamed in pain.

“Sorry, did I hit you too hard?” Ryouga said with worry, it wasn't right to pick on the weak and he was having problems controlling his new level of strength, as proven by his previous nine opponents, two of them would never walk again, one was blind, one lost an arm, another one nearly died and the rest hadn’t waken up yet “Oh sir...”

“Stop mocking me!” Casios threw a punch with all of his might against the lost boy's head. Not only his target didn't flinch even a little, but he felt an intense ricochet which crushed his other hand, as if he had just hit a solid block of iron, and languished in pain.

Impossible! Marin was surprised and terrified by the situation, I've seen Casios behead a man with that kind of attack, how can he shrug it off as if it was nothing? There's no way the human body could take that much punishment.Just who the hell I've been training?

“Shouldn't we stop this fight? He's going to be severely hurt if we keep going.”

“I said, take me seriously!” Casios began a furious charge against Ryuoga. But the boy disappeared in a blur and the giant got stopped dead on his tracks, and then fell unconscious as the lost boy landed a few feet behind and caught him before hitting the ground.

“Sorry, but I warned you.” said Ryouga while carrying his opponent and leaving him in front of his mentor “Make sure he is taken care of. I hope he recovers.”

Everybody was speechless and silent. The fight had ended so quickly and as unceremoniously that they were still processing what had happened. “Um, oh, yes.” the Pope snapped “the winner is Ryouga! And as such I grant him the title of Saint and the Pegasus cloth. Everybody welcome Athena's latest Saint!” Ryouga was ecstatic. He was glad he came here; all of the training had been worth it. He began running to receive his prize.

“Um son, the podium is this way.” the Pope said the pope to an embarrassed Ryouga who corrected his course and arrived at the right spot.

“Today you were reluctant to abuse your power in the arena, don't forget that self-control now that you have received your cloth. Remember, Athena's Saints are meant to fight for justice and to keep the peace of the world, and as one you are not to use your cloth for selfish purposes. And now if you don't mind I will retire to my chambers, this whole ordeal left me with a headache”

…

That same night a group of sanctuary guards were patrolling and desperately searching inside every single spot they could think of. Meanwhile at the outskirts of the sanctuary Shaina awaited impatiently to intercept the two fugitives she was sure would be fleeing that same night. It was impossible for them to escape without them going through her, of course provided the guards didn't find them before.

The night was very advanced already and there were no traces of them, but the silver saint wouldn't lower her guard. They would show up sooner or later, sooner or later, anytime now. For sure they couldn't be more than a few minutes away. It was impossible they were foolish enough to remain on their hut when her loyal men were surely going after them. Yes it was entirely possible they were hiding somewhere close, waiting for her to get tired and give up, but she was smarter than them, she wouldn't allow them to escape the sanctuary and specially not getting away with the cloth. She would be a sentry; she wouldn't budge or give up. Sooner or later they will make a mistake and reveal themselves. It was only a matter of time...

…

“Where's Marin’s hut?” said Ryouga to a very confused Russian soldier.

I can't believe I got lost again!!...

To be continued

Likewise, we hardly see anything about their trainers or fellow students outside of when they screw up or when they're fighting them. And while the trainers and fellow students aren't as important to the story as the future saints, it's still something to consider.