Asuna took the two week journey back to his old home. Reason it was two weeks was because he didn't want to raise his Chi by going faster and risk being caught by Totsuki. It would be bad, considering he would bring Totsuki towards his family and give away their home and land. As soon as he gets close, Hitomi senses him and rushes out to give him a hug. She starts to cry tears of joy at the the thrill of seeing Asuna again. Then Toko comes out with Akuma following.
Asuna: "Where is Azuma?"
Toko: "Azuma left us about a year ago. Didn't say where he was going, or what he was going to do. I made him promise that whatever the reason for him leaving, May it be for the greater good."
Akuma: "Yeah I'm sure he's the same Azuma we all know and love. Just needs time to figure out who he wants to be I guess."
Asuna: "I wish he was here, so we could all be together like old time."
Hitomi: "Yeah, I would have loved that."
There's a silence for a good minute until Toko has everyone go inside so they can talk more in there and catch up on what's been happening. Hours go by and the Namikayo family are enjoying every moment with each other.
Ziku and Omoi are training, but Ziku still has an arm cast. When they stop, Omoi begs Ziku to let him use his sword. When Ziku finally gives in, he brings it outside for Omoi to use. Omoi picks it up and starts playing with it. Natsumi looks outside to see Omoi using the sword and she gets shocked.
Natsumi: "Why am I surprised? Omoi is pure of heart as well. He and Ziku both really are something special."
Then Ziku and Omoi train using the sword. Ziku mostly trains with his right arm, working out with it becoming more adept at using it. Then all of a sudden Ziku falls to his knees holding his ribs. Omoi rushes towards him trying to pick him asking what's wrong. Natsumi runs out to do the same.
Ziku: "My rib cage just feels like someone is constantly breaking them."
Natsumi doesn't waste any time, as she rushes Ziku and Omoi to the hospital to try and see what's wrong. Ziku is in a room and his ribs are being scanned.
Doctor: "Ziku's ribs are completely broken. In order for them to heal, he has to fully rest. No training, no working out. Your ribs are in constant pain because they are constantly overworked. You need to just give up fighting for now and rest."
Ziku looks at Omoi then Omoi looks at Natsumi.
Natsumi: "You heard the doctor Ziku. You need to rest!"
Ziku: "Ok."
Omoi feels bad for Ziku, but at the same time is relieved that he is alright and all he needs is a long rest. They all go home and immediately Ziku just gets in bed and sits there.
Ziku: "While I rest for a year, everyone else gets to train."
Omoi: "You already got a good 10 months of training in. You won't be that far behind."
Ziku: "Yeah, I guess we'll just have to see."
Omoi leaves and Ziku sits in bed just thinking. Few days go by and Ziku has just been in bed, only out of bed when it's time to eat or he had to use the bathroom. Omoi has been back and forth from his house to Ziku's. Either checking on him or keeping him company. Natsumi walks into Ziku's room.
Ziku: "Mom. Do I have to stay in bed?"
Natsumi: "I know Ziku, it's hard, but you have to understand some of the hardest choices are made by some of the strongest people."
Ziku: "I just wanted to know if I could be outside. I don't like just staying home."
Natsumi: "Oh, I suppose you could go outside. Just be careful what you do."
Ziku walks outside and just takes a huge breath. Omoi watches him. Ziku lays down on the grass closes his eyes and just enjoys nature. Omoi leans against a tree and closes his eyes as well. When he opens them up he sees a bird land on Ziku's nose and a whole bunch of other animals just gather around him.
Omoi: "The animals love him."
Omoi smiles at the scenery and closes his eyes again. Then all of a sudden Ziku and Omoi both hear a melody that is bright and joyful. Ziku stands up and tries to pinpoint the direction it's coming from. The bird stays on Ziku's shoulder and he begins to walk away. Omoi follows him as he's confused on what he actually hears. Once they get to the source of the melody they find Aiko again.
Ziku: "Aiko?"
Omoi: "What are you doing here all alone?"
Aiko: "This tree, I planted it."
Ziku: "What tree?"
Aiko moves out the way and shows a 20 inch tree planted in the middle of a forest. Ziku goes to it and begins to admire it. Just when he's about to touch it, Shizuko and Jiro walk up coming back from training. Then Kanju, Senpu, Isamu, and Limbo walk up coming from a training session themselves. Hiroyuki appears, right after him Kame and Shiro walk up. Bezune walks up, not too long after Kisaiju shows up. Then Bokutso and Kotai walk up together after being with their clan.
One after another each of the students showed up. Whether they came from training, or just so happened to stumble upon everyone gathering in the middle of the forest. It's silent at first with everyone staring creating an awkward feeling.
Kisaiju: "Ahh Nakamura! I didn't get to fight you yet."
Omoi: "Yeah? And you won't get to!"
Kanju and Jiro just begin staring at each other. Each waiting for someone to strike.
Shizuko and Hiroyuki have the most intense glares. Everyone feeling the Chi from both of them getting riled up.
Kotai: "Hows the ribs Ziku?"
Ziku doesn't respond and just holds his ribs. Aiko becomes completely scared and gets behind Ziku. Shizuko and Hiroyuki walk up to each other, but Chiori like always and as unexpected as ever gets between them. Mikoto and Mireko are just watching until Mikoto spots Ziku and immediately gets angry just staring at him. Kireina, Yumi and Haruna walk up together as they were hanging out. Once they walk up, they are confused as to what they just walked into. Then Omoi pauses because he sees Tonamura. Once he sees him, Kame turns around and makes eye contact with him. Kame walks over to him. Both of them are just staring at each other creating another yet intense moment. All of a sudden, Kame puts his fist out and is smiling. Tonamura is shocked, but eventually touches Kames fist with his. He watches as Kame walks back to the others as he just think to himself.
Tonamura: "I feel like, if this wasn't my mission. Me and Kame could really be friends. There's something I want more than friendship though, and only Master Mayonaka can give it to me. I must sever all emotions and feelings!"
Omoi to himself: "I've seen his abilities up close. He's someone we have to watch out for."
Poku is the last to arrive, but when she does, she is accompanied by many animals.
Poku: "This bird led me here, I don't know why."
Kanju: "Yeah, that's weird. Why are we all in the same place like this?
Isamu: "It must be fate that we are all here like this. Fate will decide the next event that unfolds for all of us."
All of sudden the ground starts shaking and everyone ends up falling not being able to keep balance. Suddenly the small shrub that Aiko planted grows into a 24FT tree. Everyone just stares at the tree because it has no branches it's just a tree trunk. Immediately after the trunk is exposed everyone starts to float one by one, until everyone is floating around the trunk. Then it begins, 24 branches end up sprouting from the tree with twigs and leaves also sprouting. After everything sprouts the entire tree glows with Aura and everyone drops hitting the ground with force hurting some of them. It ends up fracturing Ziku's arm even more. Kisaiju gets up and immediately goes after Isamu grabbing him by the front of his shirt.
Kisaiju: "What the hell did you do?! You talked about fate! Was this your doing?!"
Ziku: "Leave him alone!"
Kisaiju: "Shut the fuck up Ziku, I don't want to hear your voice!"
Omoi grabs Kisaijus arm and stares into his eyes.
Omoi: "Let him go, right now!"
Kisaiju pushes Isamu to the floor and gets into Omoi's face.
Kisaiju: "Who even are you? I know you as Ziku's follower. You're nothing more!"
Omoi: "Hmph, lets see!"
Omoi throws a punch, Kisaiju does the same, but both of them are stopped by Kame.
Kame: "This squabble is meaningless. Let it go."
Both of them look at Kame confused as to how he stopped both of their punches with ease.
Meanwhile Aiko was touching the tree and feeling it. She calls everyone over.
Aiko: "Look, this tree is infused with our chi."
Omoi places his hand on the tree and feels his Chi.
Omoi: "You're right!"
Mireko is feeling the tree as she feels her chi as well.
Everyone else is amazed, but also confused as to why they can feel their chi inside the tree and if it means something. Ziku looks around and notices how no one is arguing or fighting. It's like they all forgot about anything in the past and the tree brought them together in a new light. Ziku smiles, but it quickly goes away because he thinks about how long this could last as it seems moments like these never last. He tries to forget about his thoughts and enjoy the moment for what it is. He may never see it again. For hours they all have fun with each other and enjoy each other's company.
The day started as a bad one. But it ended in the best way. That's the first time that all the students of that class actually bonded together. The tree gave them something special. At the end of the day Aiko called it the family tree, since it brought them together as a family. The time they have left is spent omg training and becoming stronger. Each student is working to become more adept at using their abilities. Some are training together, some train alone. In Ziku's case he can't train at all. His days consist of resting and going outside periodically to see the animals and just enjoy nature.
Finally the time comes and there's a week left until Asuna is supposed to come back. Ziku is finally able to take the cast off and remove the bandages. Ziku is finally able to train and workout. He trains by himself because everyone is far above him in terms of power since they've been training. He trains for a day non stop finally stopping and collapsing to the floor due to fatigue. Natsumi comes out to make sure he's fine.
Natsumi: "Ziku! Remember you can't push yourself like this!"
Ziku: "Everyone is so far ahead, they have been training for 2 years non stop. This is my last week to even close the gap, even if it's slightly."
Natsumi: "Ziku! I understand that, but you just recovered! At least take it slow and be cautious please!"
Ziku stands up and goes into the house. He's in his bed just laying down staring at the ceiling. Until suddenly there's a knock on the door. Ziku goes to open it and he smiles when he sees Asuna.
Asuna: "Hey point-break wanna train?"
Ziku smiles even bigger and both of them spar together. After their sparring, Ziku and Asuna have a convo.
Ziku: "How was it with your family?"
Asuna: "It was great. Finally getting to see them after so long it feels like. Just wish I saw my brother Azuma or even knew where he was."
Ziku: "Huh What happened?"
Asuna: "They said he left like a year before I got there and that he left without warning. So he's been gone for some time and no one knows where he is or if he's still alive."
Ziku and Asuna have a moment of silence that last for awhile. Ziku gets up and goes over to Asuna putting his hand out.
Ziku: "Thanks for training with me. I'd like if you trained me for the tournament."
Asuna and Ziku both smile as Asuna grabs his hand using it as leverage to lift himself up.
Asuna: "Sure thing kid."
For the rest of the time Ziku trains with Asuna. Asuna being as strong as he is really increased Ziku's overall power in just a short amount of time. Just like that there is only a day left until the tournament.
Ziku: "I feel like I've really gotten stronger! Thanks Asuna, for everything!"
Asuna: "Hmph, no problem kid."
Ziku: "Oh, do you wanna see a new technique I've been working on? It's my first lightning technique!"
Asuna: "No I think it'll be better to see it in action when you're fighting."
Ziku: "Yeah! I'll get to show everyone!"
Asuna smiles as he takes his leave. Ziku watches him leave and he decides to go see Omoi. Omoi is outside sitting just looking off into the distance with tears in his eyes.
Omoi wipes his tears really fast and stands up to greet Ziku.
Omoi: "Oh you finally got the cast off. How are your ribs?"
Ziku: "Oh, somehow I forgot about that. I'm sure they're fine though."
Omoi: "Yeah, lets hope. So this means you're ready for the tournament tomorrow?"
Ziku: "Yeah. Wouldn't it be crazy if we got to fight each other?"
Omoi: "It would! If it happens, no holding back!"
Ziku: "Haha I expect you to go all out as well."
They high five and then the both of them just look at each other smiling.
The time has come, it's finally here. The tournament begins in 2 hours!