Hiroyuki "I'm sorry."
Asuna "Don't even apologize. These guys are strong, they are the head of their respective villages for a reason."
Hiroyuki "Why did you hold back?"
Asuna "So you can tell?"
Hiroyuki "Easily."
Asuna "Jericho isn't our enemy. As you mature, you will realize there are some fights worth fighting and some that are worth surviving. Knowing the difference is crucial."
Hiroyuki "What does that mean? It doesn't seem right?"
Asuna "As you get older, naturally you get stronger. Knowing which battles call for you to fight, but hold back are way harder to identify than those where it calls for you to fight all out just to survive."
Hiroyuki "What makes them harder to spot?"
Asuna "A lot of factors play into it, main one being your chi. If you have the ability, you can sense if your chi is greater than your opponents from the beginning. Not only that, but personality of your opponent along with their ambitions."
Hiroyuki "I think I understand a bit more."
Asuna "Just know this fight wasn't serious at all. Jericho never intended to hurt your, he was just trying to prepare you and make you stronger."
Hiroyuki "What?! He wasn't serious?! Wait this wasn't real?!"
Asuna "It was real, you just weren't in any real danger. Jericho fought me here because he knows they are watching. He doesn't agree with the government and feels like this is a way he can continue being in control of his own village. If he doesn't comply then he doesn't have to relinquish his title just yet."
Hiroyuki "Oh, so this fight was just…."
Asuna "Yeah, a hoax."
Hiroyuki "I guess that's smart, but I thought you agreed with the summit?"
Asuna "I do and don't. Obviously I feel like if we combine our strength it would be beneficial, but limiting that power to only the selected people isn't the way. It destroys democracy and it will cause uproar."
Hiroyuki "Damn, so what can we do?"
Asuna "Be prepared for the worst."
Omoi "I'm so tired, my body hurts all over. My throat feels so dry. What is wrong with me? Am I dying?"
Mina "Omoi, I'm sorry. I didn't meant to get you sick."
Omoi "It's ok, I'll get sick as many times as I have to. As long I'm helping you get better."
Mina "This is all my fault, if only I wasn't stubborn with taking my medication. You are the only person who has seen me day after day so you know how bad it has gotten. Being depressed about your father doesn't help in any way."
Omoi "Don't worry, when I get better. I'm going after dad and bringing him back for you."
Mina "Omoi what kind of mother would I be if I allowed that? You don't have to do anything for me. What you have done already is more than enough and I can't ask for a better son."
Omoi "You might not want it, but I do. This became something personal with me the moment I encountered him again."
Mina "Sometimes I wish you never told me about that. It breaks my heart thinking about him again. Please Omoi, just no. I'm already sick and in pain, I don't know what I would do if I lost you."
Omoi "You won't lose me, just trust me. I'll bring him back for you."
Mina "Omoi stop! I already told you no! You don't have to do anything for him! The decisions he has made are his and his alone! There is no reason for you to try and help him! You don't owe him anything, so just stop! Forget about your father and live your life how you were before finding out about him."
Omoi "Mom, I'm going to be honest. I can't do that."
Mina "Why not Omoi?!"
Omoi "I can't really explain why mom, I just want to. I don't mean to be disrespectful, but I just can't listen when you tell me not to."
Mina " I can't believe it. Where did this attitude come from? He's almost like a completely different kid all of a sudden."
Mina "Omoi, if I can't stop you. Promise me that you will do whatever it takes to stay careful. Promise me that no matter what happens you will continue being who you are. If bringing him back is what you want, then I will support you and have faith that you will accomplish this goal."
Omoi "I can help both of you."
Mina "I believe you Omoi."
Aurora "What?! Are you done?!"
Shizuko "Shutup!"
Aurora "You're still not strong enough!"
Shizuko "I know! You think I can't tell with how much you're kicking my ass?!"
Aurora "Have you not been training?!"
Shizuko "You're pissing me off, just take the win!"
Aurora "I'll take the last 10 wins."
Shizuko "Tch!"
Aurora "You always fight angry, that's why you lose. An angry mind isn't a focused one. Learn to ease up and allow your body to move and think at its full capacity."
Shizuko "I understand."
Aurora "Alright then! Let's go another round!"
Shizuko "hell no!"
Aurora "So you're quitting? Just like that?"
Shizuko "Who said anything about quitting?"
Aurora "Well it seems you don't want to spar anymore. Are you ok with ending the day with a loss?"
Shizuko "At this point, yes. Sparring isn't the same anymore."
Aurora "And what about getting stronger?"
Shizuko "My purpose for getting stronger is gone."
Aurora " I know how you feel right now, but you understand that you being weak puts us at a disadvantage if something were to happen?"
Shizuko "We have Asuna, you don't need me."
Aurora "Shizuko we do!"
Shizuko just starts walking away. Aurora just watches as she feels like there is nothing she can do. Without Jiro, there's isn't a person to give Shizuko that purpose to be stronger anymore.
Aurora "So that means Hiroyuki is stronger than you?"
Shizuko stops abruptly, turns his head and makes eye contact with Aurora.
Shizuko "You think I am weaker than that icy bastard?"
Aurora "Yeah, and this slump you're in will keep you weaker."
Shizuko "Hmph! You bring that ice cube over here and watch me kick his ass. I'm content with losing to you, but I'll be damned if I lose to him!"
Aurora "I heard he's been training under Asuna and that he's in a league of his own right now. You don't stand a chance."
Shizuko's gets visibly upset, as his forehead has a vein pulsating and his eyes widen. He walks over to Aurora slowly demanding they continue training.
Aurora "That's more like it!"
Hiroyuki "So do we tell the village about this?"
Asuna "I'm not sure. I kind of don't want to stir up anything. I feel like if it's mentioned, a lot of people would not agree."
Hiroyuki "Understandable. You want me to keep this between us?"
Asuna "For now yes. This will take some further discussion. I will inform the Core and everyone that is S class because I feel like having our strongest well immersed will play a pivotal role in the future of this whole alliance thing."
Hiroyuki " Alright, I will only tell my friends."
Asuna "What?"
Hiroyuki "Just a joke, I really don't have friends."
Asuna "What? You're kidding right?"
Hiroyuki " Well the people you're thinking about aren't my friends. To me they are just peers. When it comes to friends the only person I can truly say is a friend to me is Ziku."
Asuna " Why is that? Why only him?"
Hiroyuki "Well I hate Shizuko. I've spoken to Kame maybe once or twice. Me and Omoi are completely different and everyone else just thinks I'm arrogant and cynical. To be honest Ziku is the only one who has ever talked to me like I'm a friend. Ziku is a very affable person, he honestly might be the only person I like."
Asuna " I see."
Hiroyuki " I just don't understand how we can live in world like this. And there is someone like Ziku. It's funny, now that I think about it I'm glad we have him. This world needs someone like him."
Asuna "That's for sure. Every village needs a Ziku."
Hiroyuki "So now what? Do you still need me?"
Asuna "You know what? Now that you've asked, you're good here Hiro."
Hiroyuki "I'm good?"
Asuna "Yeah, you can take a few days off."
Hiroyuki "Huh? But I don't have any-"
Hiroyuki freezes as his mind wanders. Before he can finish his sentence he daydreams about him and Ava just walking around the village.
Asuna "Hiro?"
Hiroyuki "See you in a few days!"
He runs off as Asuna just smiles nodding his head. Tora walks in.
Tora "Everything ok?"
Asuna "Yes and no. Can you do me a favor and contact all the members of the core please. Along with the S classes."
Tora "Sure, but Asuna."
Asuna "Yes?"
Tora "You could use a break too."
Tora places her hand on Asuna's before she walks out. It creates thought for Asuna as he just sits back and takes a deep breath.
Hiroyuki and Ava are walking together through the village. They're heading to a park.
Ava "How are you?"
Hiroyuki "Better."
Ava "I feel like you should spend your time off with your friends."
Hiroyuki "We are friends?"
Ava "Yes, but I mean your other ones. They haven't seen you and all of you have been training a lot."
Hiroyuki "I'll see them one of these days."
Ava "Promise me!"
Hiroyuki "What?"
Ava "I know you're saying that because it's what I want to hear. Promise me you will go see them after you take me home."
Hiroyuki "I-"
Ava "If you don't, I will know. And I will stop talking to you again."
Hiroyuki "I promise."
Ava "You better go."
Hiroyuki "I will."
Kisaiju "Tell me more about it."
Yumi "Well in the book it talks about an awakening. It goes on to explain origins as well."
Kisaiju "Which are?"
Yumi "I'm actually not too sure. I just know not everyone can have an origin release. People have different limitations."
Kisaiju "Cut the shit! How do I go about an origin release?!"
Yumi "You came to me, don't talk to me like that! I'm not obligated to tell you anything!"
Kisaiju grabs her by her arms smiling.
Kisaiju "You are and you will!"
He hurts her arms as he leaves a mark on them. Yumi twitches because of how much pain her arms are in.
Yumi "Fine, it says here that an origin release is the next level of power obtained by one's chi. 1st origin is mastery over one's body. 2nd origin is mastery over one's mind. 3rd is mastery over one's abilities. The 4th is mastery over one's true self. After all 4 have been released the person will hash an awakening. This awakening escalates their power and significantly magnifies them as a whole. Like I said not everyone has an origin release let alone an awakening."
Kisaiju "Looks like I will be the first! How can I access this power?"
Yumi "Training, it seems like this will take years."
Kisaiju "No, I need this power now!"
Yumi "But there's no way for you to access this power unless you train!"
Ruki "That isn't the only way."
Kisaiju "Who the hell are you?!"
Ruki "Someone that can help you awaken that power you want."
Kisaiju "And how can you do that?"
Yumi "Umm Kisaiju I don't think.."
Kisaiju "Shutup! Let's hear em out."
Ruki "Ah, I can tell you are someone dedicated to gaining strength by any means."
Kisaiju "Just tell me."
Ruki "I can awaken it for you."
Kisaiju "You can?!"
Ruki "Yes, just come with me and see for yourself."
Yumi "Kisaiju wait!"
Ruki appears in front of Yumi with his finger on his lips as he whispers in her ear to be quiet. Yumi falls unconscious as the book falls to the ground.
Ruki "What is this? The book of Eden? How did she get this? She just be a-"
Kisaiju "Hey! What did you do to her."
Ruki "Don't worry, she's just asleep."
Kisaiju "Hmph! Are we doing this or what?!"
Ruki "Yes, of course."
Ruki "When I finish with him, I will come back for her. She will be of great use if we can gain her abilities. I have to hurry this up."
Kisaiju "So how does this work?"
Ruki "I can place my hand upon and draw out the power you would have if you were to train."
Kisaiju "Is there a limit to how much I gain?"
Ruki "The limit is you."
Kisaiju "Hm, I'll do 2 origin releases. Don't want to be too strong heh."
Ruki "Fine with me, just relax."
Kisaiju "Got it!"
Ruki "Oh by the way, this will hurt a lot!"
Kisaiju "Wait wha- AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
Kisaiju just continues to scream in excruciating pain. Blood starts coming from his eyes, his ears, and his mouth. His body starts to get bigger as he is gaining muscle mass and falls to the ground. His body shaking as he can't seem to focus on anything. His heart rate increasing more and more with his eyes even turning into a darker shade of blue.
Ruki "It is done. You are welcome. If you need more power come find me."
Ruki walks away without another word as Kisaiju struggles to get a hold of himself.
Ziku "That feels weird."
Natsumi "What?"
Ziku "I don't know I can't really describe this feeling."
Natsumi "It's probably nothing, don't get too worked up about it."
Ziku "Yeah, someone else will handle it. Right?"
Hiroyuki walking with Ava as he feels the same thing Ziku felt.
Hiroyuki "What the?"
Ava "What?"
Hiroyuki just stares off into the distance.
Ava "You're scaring me, what's going on?"
Hiroyuki "Something's wrong."
Ava "Why does something always happen when I'm with you? I was literally doing just fine before today."
Hiroyuki "I'm sorry, but I have go check it out."
Ava "I'll go with you."
Hiroyuki "I would rather you go back."
Ava "I'm coming!"
Hiroyuki "Ok ok."
Ruki "This girl. How did you get your hands on this book I wonder."
Ruki picks up Yumi and puts her on his shoulder. Before he can take a step he senses Hiroyuki.
Ruki "And you are?"
Hiroyuki "Put her down."
Ruki "You know I can teleport out of here right? How else do you think I even got in here? I just want to know what you would do?"
Hiroyuki "It's not about what I would do. You should ask yourself what would we do?"
Ruki "We?"
He looks in front to see Ziku standing there.
Ruki "Shit."
Hiroyuki "I'd suggest doing what I said."
Ruki places Yumi on the ground clinching the book.
Ruki "It seems I made a slight error."
Ziku "Error?"
Ruki "Don't even try to understand, just know I don't want to fight. I already accomplished my goal. I need not stay here any longer."
Ziku "What goal?"
Ruki smiles then his body starts to disintegrate.
Both Hiroyuki and Ziku eyes widen. They look at each other and try to form words but nothing comes out.
Ava "What just happened?"
Ziku "I don't know, but he didn't take Yumi."
Hiroyuki "She must have just been extra for him since he said he already accomplished his goal."
Ziku "Yeah, what did he mean. Are we in danger already?"
Kisaiju walks from the shadows with aura emitting from his body.
Ziku "Kisaiju?!"
Kisaiju smiles and makes eyes contact with Ziku.
Kisaiju "Let's spar a bit, both of you."
Ziku "You want to fight us both?"
Kisaiju "Hell yeah! I want you both to see the gap in our power now!"
Hiroyuki "Gap?"
Kisaiju "You two are arguably some of the strongest in our class. Show me."
Ava "I'll take Yumi inside."
Hiroyuki "You sure about this?"
Kisaiju "Never been more sure!"
Ziku "Is this really a good time for this?"
Kisaiju "Don't tell me, you're scared aren't you Nakamura?"
Ziku "I thought I told you already, not to call me that."
Kisaiju "You are going to have to make me Nakamura!"
Ziku "Like before? You got it!"
Ziku rushes him and throws a kick, Kisaiju blocks it with his forearm looks up at Ziku and smiles. Ziku's eyes widen as Kisaiju grabs his foot and slams him to the ground then throws him. Ziku flies by Hiroyuki and when Hiroyuki's head turns Kisaiju appears next to him and punches him. Both Ziku and Hiroyuki get up. They look at each other and start to walk towards Kisaiju. Kisaiju walks towards them as he's smiling. Hiroyuki takes a deep breath emitting ice as his body hardens with ice. Ziku's body emits lightning.
Kisaiju "Ready?!"
Ziku "Yeah."
Hiroyuki "Yeah."
Kisaiju makes a bunch of blocks that stack on top of each other, as he throws them at Ziku. Ziku stops and then tries to grab his sword to cut them but he finds out that he forgot it. Hiroyuki freezes them and then yells at Ziku to keep moving. When Ziku gets close, Kisaiju stretches a block that hits Ziku in the stomach making his cough up spit as he goes flying. Kisaiju tries to do the same to Hiroyuki, but he freezes it before it can touch him. Hiroyuki gets close enough to land a blow but misses, when Kisaiju dodges the attack a wall appears in front of him and when he freezes is it breaks, but Kisaiju is gone. Hiroyuki tries to find him but it is too late as Kisaiju appears behind him, kicking him as he goes flying. Ziku stands up, dusts himself off and then gets back into his stance. He doesn't have anymore lightning emitting from his body as when Hiroyuki stands, all of his ice is gone.
Kisaiju "Come one that wasn't even 5 minutes. That's all you two have?"
Ziku "I don't know the type of training you did, but you obviously pushed yourself harder than I ever have."
Hiroyuki "Your power is insane."
Kisaiju "Damn right!"
Ava "Ok that's enough!"
Kisaiju "Enough? We were just getting started."
Ava "Please stop already."
Kisaiju "Hmph, fine. You and the Nakamura got some training to do. I'll be waiting for that rematch."
Kisaiju leaves, Hiroyuki just watches him as Ziku falls to one knee.
Hiroyuki "You alright."
Ziku "I'm just glad it stopped, I can't fight anymore. He has gotten really strong."
Hiroyuki "I don't know what he did to get that strong, but it doesn't seem right."
Ziku "Maybe we just been slacking."
Hiroyuki "I wouldn't say I've been slacking, but I guess I can train harder."
Ziku "Been awhile since I've talked to you."
Hiroyuki "Yeah well you know."
Ziku " Everything alright?"
Hiroyuki "I've been better."
Ziku "How's Asuna doing?"
Hiroyuki "I would like to think he's doing ok."
Ziku "That's good. Well if you want, me and you can train together."
Hiroyuki "I would, but I don't get time to myself like this often."
Ziku "Ah, I get it."
Hiroyuki "It was great seeing you. Even though we k ind of got our ass kicked, it was nice fighting with you. It was a fun change of pace."
Ziku "Yeah, it definitely was."
Ava "Hiroyuki is smiling? He hasn't smiled all day?!"
Hiroyuki "So what are you gonna do?"
Ziku "Probably visit Omoi and Aiko. Haven't seen Omoi in awhile."
Hiroyuki "What?! Why?!"
Ziku "I don't know, I just haven't. Every time I plan on going; it's like something changes or happens and delays me over and over again."
Hiroyuki "Pretty weird. Well I won't delay you anymore go and see him."
Ziku "Right!"
As Ziku is walking to Omoi's house he runs into Cayde.
Cayde "There you are! I've been looking for you."
Ziku "Cayde!"
Cayde "When are we going to finish our training?"
Ziku "Soon, I just really have to go see….."
Doctor "Ziku Nakamura! It's your mother come quick!"
Before the doctor even finished Ziku was already gone. Both the doctor and Cayde left behind. Ziku arrives at the hospital and swings his mother's door open.
Ziku "Mom! Mom! What's wrong?!"
His mother tries to talk to him, but all that comes out is a tiny high pitched noise that she makes as she is wincing in pain. Grabbing her chest. Ziku grabs her hand and then removes the blanket covering her to reveal a dark mark on her chest that appears to be spreading.
Ziku "What is that?!"
Natsumi just screams as she starts tossing and turning in her bed. He body vigorously starts to shake as she falls off her bed, but is caught by Ziku and placed back on the bed.
Ziku "Doctor! Doctor help!"
The doctor runs in and tries to calm Natsumi, but nothing seems to work.
Ziku "What is happening?!"
Doctor "It's the sickness, her body is rejecting the antidote we gave her! Everyone else here was cured within 3 days of taking it, but her symptoms worsen!"
Ziku "How is that possible!"
Doctor " Ziku when I tell you that we are as addled as you are."
Ziku "Did you try everything?!"
Doctor "We tried everything! The spreading just got worse!"
Ziku "It stopped."
Doctor "What?!"
Ziku "The spreading stopped."
Doctor "It's stress and emotionally powered!"
Ziku "Huh?"
Doctor "The virus! It spreads when the effected person is under extreme stress and their emotions flare!"
Ziku "Why is she so stressed?"
Natsumi "Because of you Ziku."
Ziku "Me?!"
Natsumi "At every hour, no every second of the day I worry whether or not you are ok. You left in such a hurry earlier and all I can think about is something happening to you. Then it caused me to think about your father, you are so like him. It's not your fault, your body just senses trouble moves on its own to help. That's how I lost him, I don't want to lose you the same way."
Ziku "Mom, you have to worry less. I know I don't make it easy because it's just how I was wired. From this point on, I will not leave your side for anything. I don't want you to worry anymore and get worse because of me."
Natsumi "I can't ask you to do that Ziku. It's what makes you special, I can't take that from you. Plus you have friends, you have Cayde. They need you."
Ziku "You need me. Until you are better, I will not leave this hospital."
Natsumi "If something were to happen?"
Ziku "I ran into Hiroyuki earlier, he was so much stronger than before. Things might happen, but we have strong people we can rely on. I'm learning to trust them."
Natsumi "And Cayde?"
Cayde "I'm here!"
Natsumi "Cayde? When did you?"
Cayde "Just now."
Ziku "Sorry I left you two. I even surprised myself."
Cayde "That's why I need you to train me, I want to be that fast."
Ziku "You could be faster."
Cayde "Really?!"
Ziku "Are you willing to come up here everyday to train?"
Cayde "Yeah! Well that is the least I can do, so you can be with your mother."
Ziku tears up as he hugs Cayde.
Natsumi smiles as the doctors look at her vitals. Obviously the virus isn't gone, but it definitely has not spread anywhere else.
Ava "Hiroyuki, where are you staying tonight?"
Hiroyuki "With you?"
Ava "Well, I don't live alone I actually live with Aiko."
Hiroyuki "Oh."
Ava "Yeah, I mean she probably wouldn't mind, but I don't want to speak for her."
Hiroyuki "I get it."
Ava "You don't have a place?"
Hiroyuki "Not anymore no."
Ava "What happened?"
Hiroyuki "Nothing, we never really had our own place. Without my father me and my mother stayed in the slums."
Ava "But your clan?!"
Hiroyuki "My clan is the slums."
Ava "I'm sorry."
Hiroyuki "For what?"
Ava "Questioning you."
Hiroyuki "You don't have to be sorry for anything."
Ava "Come with me, we can ask Aiko together."