Aizu begins the class by talking about the categories.
Aizu: "Although it seems like one person has to be entitled to only one category, that is not the case. For some people, they can have multiple abilities that fall under multiple categories. This essentially means they have an (Okuno)which is what we call those who can master many."
Hiroyuki: "So an example would be Asuna right?"
Aizu: "Yes precisely. Since Asuna is able to use Light manipulation and each of the elements, while also flight he falls in numerous categories."
Ziku: "Amazing!"
Aizu: "I don't want you guys to think that just because someone Has an Okuno means they are by default more powerful than you. It's never about what you can do, but how you do them. Quality over quantity."
After some time, it's now time for them to go to Hozu. When they get to Hozu it seems like each day she's wearing less and less. Senpu walks in and immediately his eyes go big at the sight of Hozu.
Senpu: "Her suit is so tight, in all the right areas!"
Kanju: "I'm worried about you."
Hozu: Who's ready for the next five people to share their abilities! I know I am, now let's get started! Who wants to go first?"
Omoi: "I'll go. Why not?"
Hozu: "Ok Omoi show us."
Omoi stand in front of the class. Then he starts swinging his arm in circles above his head creating a wind vortex, then he points it towards everyone and they all fly back.
Hozu: "Oh, a wind user. So you're wind and Ziku is lightning and you guys are best friends. Interesting! Who's next?"
Isamu walks up to Hozu and whispers in her ear. The class just stares at him as he's doing this. Hozu nods and he is told to sit back down.
Hozu: "Ok anyone else?"
Shizuko: "There's no point showing mine, it's the same as Jiro's, just skip me."
Hozu: "Well someone show me something new!"
Kotai stands up and goes in front of the class. He looks at Hozu and then back at Bokutso. Then he clinched his hands and out of no where he gets bigger. He's the same height, but his muscle mass increased by 50% and now he's huge.
Hozu: "Wow!"
Kotai breathes out and then shrinks back to his normal mass.
Kotai: "As of right now, I can only increase it by 50% even then I can't hold it long I'd say about 30 minutes."
Hozu: "I see, Next!"
Bokutso stands up and he hits Kotai's shoulder. He stands in front of the class and looks back at Kotai. As he also increases his muscle mass, but he's much bigger, but that means he can't sustain it long.
Bokutso: "As you can see, I'm much bigger than Kotai."
Kotai: "Hmph, But how long can you sustain it?"
Bokutso: "Doesn't matter, point is I'm better than you!"
Hozu: "Alright sit down muscle boy. Who's next?"
Kame stands up and goes in front of the class. He punches his hand in excitement.
Kame: "I need to go outside to demonstrate my abilities."
Hozu: "Oh, umm yeah go ahead."
Kame walks outside with Hozu, but the class just looks out the window. First thing Kame does is punch a tree and it tumbles down. Then he finds a boulder, lifts it up and kicks it, shattering it. Right before he's about to punch the ground. Hozu grabs his arm.
Hozu: "That's enough."
Kame and Hozu walk back into class and all the students are looking at at them. Kotai and Bokutso are amazed at how strong he is, and he hasn't even increased his muscles.
Hozu: "Well that was quite a show. Anyone else?"
Bezune walks up. As his hair changes color. His hands start to glow and he shoots a beam up into the sky through the roof of the classroom.
Bezune: "Jiro do you mind blasting some fire my way?"
Jiro: "Sure!"
Jiro blasts fire towards him and then his hand absorbs it and its emitted into his energy as he shoots another beam into the sky but this one was bigger.
Hozu: "Wow, amazing. This group of students are just fascinating! I think we have time for one more. Any takers?"
Limbo raises his hand, walks up to the front and then phases through the wall behind him. Then he comes back with a huge smile on his face.
Hozu: "Hmm interesting. Intangibility I like it. Well now it's time for you to go with Asuna. So get out!"
Only the guys go to Asuna and the girls stay with Hozu.
Hozu: "Who wants to spar? It could be as many of you guys vs me. Who is it gonna be?"
Kireina steps forward by herself at first. Then Chiori decides to fight as well.
Hozu: "Is that it? Well, let's begin."
Hozu gestures to Kireina and Chiori to come on, as both of them rush her they both swing at her. Hozu grabs their arms and flips them. Then Hozu goes to Chiori and kicks her in the stomach then kicks her chin making her fly back and hit the wall. Chiori is done. Kireina rushes Hozu with a combo but every single move is dodged perfectly. After the combo, Hozu throws an elbow and nails Kireina in the nose then does a 1 inch punch that makes Kireina fall to the floor. Once she falls, Hozu says it's over. Hozu turns around and sees the look on all the girls face as they are all frightened.
Hozu starts laughing as she gets louder and louder it goes to an abrupt stop as she stares at the other girls.
Hozu: "Tell me, does anyone here actually want to become stronger?"
Kireina: "Of course I do!"
Chiori: "I want to be acknowledged for my strength."
Aiko thinks to herself that she doesn't care about be strong she doesn't care about becoming a warrior. She just wants to stay close to Ziku.
Poku: "Being strong isn't the most important thing in the world."
Hozu: "I became the strongest female in the village. Why? Because of hard work and my will to be as strong as the men in this village. I was told that I couldn't and that I was insane, but now look. My will has been fulfilled. I don't care if you guys do not want to be strong. My job as your teacher is to help you identify your will and find ways for each and every one of you to fulfill that will because as far as I'm concerned, it may be one of you that changes this world. No man has done it, so why not a woman? If not me, then I want one of you to make a difference."
Everyone just looks at each other for awhile as there is nothing but silence and awkward face exchanges.
All the guys stand before Asuna. Asuna just stares at them with his arms folded, waiting for someone daring to attack him. Kame is the only one that decides to attack him, he throws combos at Asuna, but it's no use because Asuna just dodges with ease. Until he grabs both of Kame's arms and just stands there, Kame tries to knee him in the chin, but Asuna dodges that too. He throws Kame in the air and does a backflip kick on him making him fly back into the other students knocking some of them out. Then Omoi finally gets courage to attack. Omoi throws punches towards Asian from far away, Asuna starts to laugh, but they connect because they were work punches. Finally someone has landed a hit on Asuna although it wasn't bare fist. Asuna smiles at Omoi and then rushes towards him, but Omoi is frozen in fear unable to move or evade. Asuna tries to punch him, but then Kame comes and kicks Asuna in the face, then Shizuko uppercuts him and Hiroyuki round kicks him into a wall. Asuna looks back at them as they all stand smiling.
Asuna thinks to himself that as soon as he let his guard down that's when they decided to attack. But why not him? Why is Ziku just standing there? "Hmm I gotta see how strong he is."
As soon as he says this Kisaiju and Bezune try to attack him. Both of them throw combos at him and he dodges all of them grabbing both of them and making them collide into each other. Then Kotai grabs him from behind and tries to pick him up to Suplex him, but Asuna flips out of it and headbutts Kotai. Bokutso goes for a more direct attack rushing him from the front, Asuna goes for his legs and when he's falling Asuna grabs his face and throws him. Asuna stands up and stares at Ziku. Kame comes to try and kick him again, but Asuna grabs his foot and slams him in the ground. Then he punches Omoi in the gut and close lines Shizuko and Hiroyuki.
The only ones left standing are Ziku and Isamu. Asuna points at Ziku, but Kame gets up again. Asuna goes to Kame, Kame head-butts him, but it does nothing. Asuna head-butts him back and Kame goes flying. Asuna focues back on Ziku. Isamu gets behind Ziku and starts trembling. Ziku looks at him and smiles. Isamu seeing Ziku smile have him confidence that no one has ever seen in Isamu. As he stands next to Ziku both of them stare at Asuna.
Ziku: "When you see an opening, attack!"
Isamu: "Gotcha!"
Ziku rushes towards Asuna, but then vanishes. Asuna eyes widen as he is to keep on guard. Ziku moves all around Asuna.
Asuna: "Incredible! At his age he already moves faster than the eye can see. He's completely a blur!"
Ziku continues to move around Asuna. Until Asuna closes his eyes and focuses all his senses and locates where Ziku is going to go next. He cuts him off and hits him to the ground. Ziku gets up and tries it again, but this time Asuna follows him and then grabs his wrist. Ziku is completely shocked as he thought he was moving fast enough for not even Asuna to spot him. Asuna lets him go and Ziku tries to run again, but this time he grabs his leg and smiles at him. Ziku swings his other leg to try and kick him, but Asuna catches that one too. Ziku can't break free as he looks towards Isamu.
Ziku: "Now!"
Isamu sees how Ziku got handled and immediately gets scared, as he tears up and runs to his behind a wall. Asuna drops Ziku and folds his arms.
Asuna: "Hmph, that'll be enough for today, I saw all I needed to."
Ziku gets up and goes to help everyone up.
Omoi: "You know, you're supposed to hold back on us right?"
Asuna: "I am!"
Omoi: "Oh. Then damn."
Shizuko: "If this idiot wasn't in my way, I could have beat him!"
Hiroyuki: "You were the one in my way."
Shizuko: "Yeah right!"
Shizuko gets in Hiroyuki's face and places his forehead on his. Jiro gets in between them.
Jiro: "Just calm down, we all got our ass kicked. We don't fight each other about it, instead we train harder and get stronger or else it'll be the same outcome each time."
Kame walks up to Asuna smiling then bows.
Kame: "Thank you. I have felt my self getting stronger. I am having fun sparring with you!"
Asuna: "Good. Get strong enough to become an actual challenge to me."
Kame: "I will, and I will even surpass you!"
Asuna smiles.
Asuna: "Well, this session is over. Leave!"
The students limp and walk outside to get picked up or walk home. Asuna walks to the administration office and begins to form a plan and his decisions. Asuna walks into an office, there he meets the administrator.
Asuna: "Instead of them fighting me as training, how about we hold a trial and tournament?"
Nigiri: "Explain."
Asuna: "Hmm, lets see. First we have a fitness test that shows us the students capabilities, their biggest strengths and biggest weaknesses. Then based on the scaling of that, they should be put in teams."
Nigiri: "Let me stop you there. I don't think this is a good idea."
Asuna: "Let me finish!"
Nigiri gulps.
Asuna: "When they are put in teams they are put against other teams in a team trial."
Nigiri: "And how does this help them?"
Asuna: "This will teach them how to rely on one other, work as a team, and face everything together."
Nigiri: "Ah I see, Yes that could work. When would you like for this to begin?"
Asuna: "Tomorrow."
Nigiri: "Tomorrow?! Are you crazy? That's too short notice!"
Asuna walks out the office and looks back.
Asuna: "You can handle it."
Nigiri gulps again and begins to work.
Asuna goes home and prepares for the next day. The next day comes and all the students are told to wait outside. Asuna walks out and tells Isamu to leave.
Isamu: "Huh? But why?"
Asuna walks over to him.
Asuna: "You don't have a warriors spirit. I don't know why you are here. The spot that you have filled should have gone to someone more worthy of becoming a warrior. Now leave!"
Isamu tears up and doesn't have anything to say as he just decides to walk back home. Ziku looks at Isamu and then gets angry at Asuna. Omoi sees that Ziku is getting angry.
Omoi: "Ziku no! Don't say anything!"
Ziku: "Wait!"
Asuna: "Anything you want to say?"
Ziku walks up to Asuna and gets directly in his face.
Ziku: "He has just as much right to be here as anyone else. Who are you to judge who can and can't become a warrior! Isamu doesn't have to go anywhere and if he does then so will I!"
Isamu: "What are you doing Ziku?"
Asuna: "Hmm, sticking up for your fellow peers. You truly are one of a kind Ziku."
Everyone just stares at the both of them, as everyone can feel the intensity of them just overflowing.
Asuna: "How about this. He could stay, but it's your responsibility for him to become the warrior you say he is entitled to become."
Ziku: " He will be great! And that's a promise!"
Aizu: "Well uhh now that that's over, everyone come in there's been a change."
All the students are taken to the training grounds.
Aizu: "There's a trial and tournament coming up and today is the day you all get assigned to a team. You will undergo a fitness test to determine your power grid. Based on the scores you receive, they will be generated to form teams that are balanced."
Asuna: "Before we start I want to introduce you guys to a few new members of this academy."
All the students turn to the left and coming from the main office are 3 new members.
Tonamura who is 12 and 162cm
Haruna who is 11 and 155cm
Yumi who is 12 and 155cm
Hozu: "Now I know some of you haven't had the opportunity to show your abilities. Don't worry that's what we do now. Now, who would want to show us, who hasn't already?"
Mireko and Mikoto step up.
Hozu: "Umm one at a time please."
Mireko puts her hand out and repels a boulder back and forth. While Mikoto puts her hand out and picks up the boulder up and smashes it into the ground. And then they both hover in the air demonstrating flight.
Hozu: "Ah I see, very interesting. Gotta keep an eye on you two hahahaha. Alright who's next?"
Senpu steps up to demonstrate his ability. He gives a sinister look as he stretches his arm all the way to Hozu and grabs her boob. He starts squeezing and then his face changes to a sense of pleasure. Hozu gets mad.
Hozu: "Pervert!"
As she grabs his hand and then pulls his arm yanking him towards her and then punching him in the face making him hit the ground with such impact and force making the ground shatter.
Kanju: "Was never of matter of if, only when."
Senpu: "T-totally worth it."
Hozu: "Hmph, who is next?!"
Kanju: "Huhh might as well."
He puts his hand on the ground that forms a magic circle and he pulls a gigantic sword out of it.
Hozu: "Now that's fascinating!"
Kanju: "In order for me to pull something out of my conjuring circle it has to have my seal on it. So I'm not limited to what I can pull out of my circle whether it's weapons or people."
Hozu: "Interesting. Don't ya think so Asuna?"
Asuna: "Who's next?"
Kisaiju steps up and just stares at Asuna.
Asuna: "Are you going to demonstrate or stare at me?"
Kisaiju places his hands together forming a triangle and he aims it towards Asuna. Asuna gets trapped inside a triangle and Kisaiju starts to explain.
Kisaiju: "The shapes I make with my hands are what I trap opponents in. I have to keep that shape with my hands to keep someone inside. While the person is inside it drains all of their chi and restores it to me."
Asuna just stares at him and then Kisaiju let's him go.
Hozu: "That's an unique ability. Who's next?"
Shiro shows that he can fly at high levels of speed. Then Poku steps up.
Poku: "I have the ability to manipulate animals and sense an animals emotional state. Ultimately being able to communicate with most animals."
As she smiles, everyone just stares at her.
Hozu: "Hmm, well who's next?"
Yumi one of the 3 newest members steps up and stares into Hozu's eyes. As she reads her mind.
Hozu: "Telepathy?"
Yumi: "Telepathy which gives me the abilities like telepathic communication, mental detection, mental link and telepathic cloak. All of you will understand these abilities in due time."
Then Haruna demonstrates the ability to manipulate water as her main element. Tonamura decides to pass on showing his ability and would rather just start the fitness test.
Hozu:"Ok well, we have seen almost everyone's abilities, those willing to share. Now we move on to the fitness testing. Good luck!"
Then Hozu pulls Aizu and Asuna to the side so she can talk with them.
Hozu: "Asuna are you sure about this?"
Asuna: "This tournament is to benefit all of them, give them confidence fighting opponents around their own strength, while also honing their chi and abilities."
Aizu: "I like the idea. It's new."
Asuna: "If I'm being completely honest, this tournament is aimed towards Ziku. I want him to break out of that passive mindset of his. He has so much potential. I feel like Hiroyuki, Kame, Omoi, Shizuko and Ziku could all push each other. All of them have promising futures it's just they need to mold Ziku. This tournament is where they do that."
Hozu: "I see, well I've always trusted your judgement."
Asuna: "What are you talking about? I met you this year."
Hozu: "And I'm trusting your judgment. So if you're wrong, then you will never have my trust again."
Aizu: "Hmph, makes sense."
Asuna walks away from them and goes back to the students.
Asuna: "The testing begins tomorrow, so for now go home and rest up, or for some people train. Just be ready to go tomorrow."
Aizu: "THAT MEANS LEAVE!"
All the students leave, rushing out of the academy. While they're outside Ziku is confronted again. Kisaiju steps in his face.
Kisaiju: "I see no reason for you to be here, you won't fight. You should just go home now cause if you have to fight me it's just gonna be embarrassing."
Ziku: "This tournament is the least of my concern. And you are the last person I'd be worried about."
Kisaiju: "The hell you say Nakamura!"
Ziku: "I SAID FOR YOU TO NEVER CALL ME THAT!"
Kisaiju: "Hehe, struck a nerve?"
Omoi: "I think you should just leave."
Kisaiju: "Hmph."
Kisaiju walks away leaving.
Omoi: "Don't worry about him Ziku, him and Shizuko are just two grade A assholes."
Ziku: "Yeah, you gonna leave?"
Omoi: "Yeah my mom wanted me home early today, didn't tell me why, so I guess I should go."
Him and Ziku fist bump and wave to one another. Ziku and Aiko start walking home, but they're stopped by Yumi.
Yumi: "Could I walk with you guys?"
Ziku: "Sure, we don't mind."
So then the three of them start walking home and the whole time Ziku and Yumi were talking Aiko was quiet. They get to Yumi's house first.
Yumi: "Thanks for walking with me, bye Ziku bye Aiko."
Ziku: "Yeah, no problem."
They wave at each other, but Aiko still doesn't say anything. When they start walking, Ziku steps in front of Aiko and stares into her eyes.
Ziku: "Is there something wrong?"
Aiko blushes and turns away.
Aiko: "I'm scared, I'm nervous, I'm anxious. Ziku I don't want to fight in a tournament! I'm not strong, and I don't really belong tomorrow is just going to prove that!"
Ziku: "I know. I'm scared as well, it may not seem like it, but I'm angry. They're forcing me to do something I don't like. At this point I don't know what to think. I don't know why you keep thinking you don't belong, why you're not strong enough because you are and you belong here just as much as I do. Aiko I wouldn't tell you this if I didn't believe in you. Trust me you'll do great!"
Aiko stares at the ground with her hair covering her eyes as she tries to cover up her tears. She starts to walk without saying anything and they arrive at her home. She waves to Ziku as he just smiles and heads back towards his home.
When he gets home the first thing he does is go straight to his mom to talk to her.
Ziku: "Mom, I don't know what to do."
Natsumi: "What do you mean?"
Ziku: "They're starting a trial and tournament in a few days, but I don't want to be apart of it. I don't want to fight."
Natsumi: "Well you joined a warrior academy. The main purpose being to train, you have to understand you're going to fight no matter what. Ziku it's okay to not like fighting, your reason isn't wrong and you shouldn't listen to people if they say it is. You don't like it cause it's immoral. I know because your dad was the exact same way when he was younger. He always avoided fighting even when he was bullied. One day he changed, his father had told him it's not wrong to fight for the right reasons, not everyone is born with a fighting spirit. Everyone has the ability to obtain one. Ziku look at me! Nobody is born a warrior, you have to choose whether you want to be one. You do this by never staying seated, never backing down, getting up after being knocked down, you choose to be warrior because if not you, then who? I want you to know what you want in this world is worth fighting for, you don't have to be the best or the strongest you just have to know what you want and be able to fight in order to get it."
Ziku: "But what if things gets tough and I can't handle it alone? It will force me to quit!"
Natsumi: "Ziku always remember you will never be alone, remember if you could still breathe, you could still fight! Don't ever think about quitting, and if you ever decide to give up think about why you held on on for so long."
Ziku starts to tear up as he just hugs his mom.
Ziku: "I know my answer now!"
Kame and Kenshi are training and when they stop Kame decides to speak his mind.
Kame: "The tournament, of course I am excited, it is just the simple fact that I may not be taken seriously. Everyone wants to fight Ziku including me, I just want to be able to show what I am capable of and that my hard work is paying off."
Kenshi: "This tournament is where you shine Kame, you worked harder for this than anyone. Don't worry about being noticed, you've worked hard in silence, your success will be the noise!"
Kame smiles. Him and Kenshi both smile at each other and then they end up laughing. Jaken looks out the window seeing how happy Kame is she smiles and looks up thinking about Kamina.
Jaken: "He's becoming what you hoped. I'm sorry it took so long I was just afraid, but now I see Kame was born for this."