As the men closed in on Hinata, her feet ignited with flames, and even her shoes seemed to glow with a fiery intensity as she stomped the ground with controlled fury. A small shockwave rippled through the earth, causing the men to stumble back a few feet. Her voice rang out with fierce determination as she warned them to stay away from Zumi, her eyes ablaze with an even brighter red glow as her inner fire surged through her veins. The men, now filled with fear, quickly retreated from the car as Hinata regained her seat in the passenger side. With a deep breath, she calmed herself and focused her energy inward, extinguishing the flames that had threatened to consume her.
Zumi, who had just finished paying for the car, exited the dealership and spotted the vehicle in the distance. As he approached, he felt the residual flame energy in the air and a faint smell of burning asphalt. He figured something had happened, and Hinata had taken care of it. As he neared the car, Gia noticed him in the rear-view mirror and immediately got out of the driver's seat to open the door for him on the other side. Zumi entered, and as soon as he did, he said, "Let's go to a real estate building now to get a house." Gia revved the engine, and the car lurched forward, smoothly gliding out of the dealership's parking lot. The tension from earlier seemed to dissipate with the wind rushing through the open windows as they drove toward their next destination. Zumi could feel the weight of the day's events settling on his shoulders, but he also knew that Hinata was always there to protect him, her fiery spirit a force to be reckoned with.
As they arrived at the real estate building, Gia expertly found a parking spot and turned off the ignition. Zumi stepped out of the car, feeling a sense of anticipation for this new chapter in their lives. The three of them walked into the building together, greeted by a cool blast of air conditioning against the warm summer day. The prospect of a new home and a fresh start filled them with excitement.
Inside, they were met by a friendly real estate agent named Lily, who was eager to help them find their perfect home. She led them through a series of different houses, each one promising a fresh start and new beginnings. The estate agent was new to the job; it was her first day, and she did not care who it was; she just wanted to make a sale, regardless of her belief that Zumi couldn't afford it based on his appearance.
As they toured the houses, Zumi couldn't help but notice Lily's dismissive attitude. However, he chose to ignore it, knowing that appearances could be deceiving. Hinata, always perceptive, caught the change in Zumi's demeanor and exchanged a knowing look with Gia. In that silent exchange, they reaffirmed their commitment to each other, agreeing to stand against any signs of discrimination. This silent pact added depth to their characters and strengthened their bond.
Despite Lily's lackluster presentation, one house stood out among the rest. A Shakespearean mansion, it was a stunning ten-bedroom estate worth $20.8 million.
The mansion loomed before them, a regal behemoth with intricate architecture and ornate details that spoke of lavish wealth and old-world charm. Each of its ten bedrooms was like a kingdom in its own right, offering the promise of boundless luxury and comfort. As they stepped inside, the room fell silent, all eyes turning to Zumi. Without a moment's hesitation, he boldly declared, "I'll take it." His unwavering confidence in the face of such opulence was a testament to his determination and the weight of his responsibilities.
Lily's voice dripped with sneering contempt as she replied, "You do realize it's $20.8 million, don't you?" Her tone was laced with venom and condescension, making the statement feel like a personal attack.
Zumi's voice dripped with icy anger as he spoke. "I will take it," his tone cutting through the tense silence like a sharp knife. But before Lily could say anything else, her eyes flicked to Gia and Hinata standing behind Zumi, their steely gazes boring into the rude woman in front of them. With a clear warning that their patience was wearing thin, they silently threatened, "Continue being disrespectful, and we'll end you." The woman's fear was palpable as she stammered out an immediate apology, her voice shaking with terror. "W-why don't we just go back to the office and sign the papers?" she suggested, eager to escape from their wrath.
As they walked toward the office, Hinata reached into her pocket and pulled out a shimmering golden card. "My brother told me to give this to you," she said with a smile. "He said that anyone with over a billion dollars in their account should carry one." She handed the card to Zumi, who examined it closely. "This will allow you to make purchases over $19 million," Hinata explained. "A regular card won't work for multiple transactions that large." The card gleamed in the sunlight, its surface smooth and flawless. Its weight felt substantial in Zumi's hand, as if it held the power of unlimited wealth. He couldn't help but feel a sense of awe and responsibility at the thought of having such a valuable item.
Zumi extended his gratitude to Hinata with a warm smile and a gentle head pat. A rush of unexpected warmth flooded Hinata's cheeks as she touched the spot where his hand had briefly rested. No one besides her older brother had ever given such a simple yet meaningful gesture to her, and it filled her heart with pure joy and contentment. She couldn't help but feel a sense of cherished connection with Zumi at that moment. With newfound resolve and the weight of his responsibilities settling comfortably on his shoulders, Zumi led the way back to the office with Hinata and Gia by his side. The golden card burned a hole in his pocket, a tangible symbol of the new life that awaited them in the impressive Shakespearean mansion.
As they entered the real estate office once more, Lily's demeanor had shifted drastically. She was now smiling and eager to assist them with the paperwork for the mansion. Zumi signed documents with practiced ease, his signature flourishing with confidence on each page. The deal was done, and the keys to the mansion were handed over to Zumi, who accepted them with a sense of quiet satisfaction.
They left the real estate office, and the sun began its descent into the sky, casting a warm golden glow over the horizon. Hinata's gaze flicked to Zumi, her long lashes casting shadows over her intense eyes. She could sense the strength radiating from him and wondered what he had in store for her next. Just as she was about to ask, Zumi's voice cut through the air with a hint of excitement and challenge. "You are undeniably powerful, Hinata. And I want powerful individuals by my side. But you also possess a strength that could rival my own. I can't help but be curious and eager to test it out. May we spar?" His words hung in the air, charged with a mixture of respect and competitiveness. Hinata's heart raced at the thought of facing off against Zumi, knowing it would push her limits like never before. "I would be honored," said Hinata.
"Since I want us to go all out, let's go somewhere abandoned with no one around but us," replied Zumi. Just as they were about to go back to the car to drive to an abandoned area, a man walked up to Zumi and said, "Excuse me, sir. My name is Eugene. I am a monk from the Tibetan Mountain temple. My people serve the Great Monkey King."
The monk's robe flowed around him like a river, and his eyes seemed to hold centuries of wisdom. His voice was calm and melodic, like the rustling of leaves in a gentle breeze. He exuded a sense of peace and serenity, a testament to his devotion to the Great Monkey King.
Zumi's voice carried a sense of urgency as he turned to his companions, Gia and Hinata. "Both of you, go to the car now. I will meet you there." As they obeyed, Zumi's eyes swept back to the monk standing before him. The wise man spoke in hushed tones, his wrinkled face severe and contemplative. He revealed that he could sense the presence of the Monkey King within Zumi, explaining that a few days prior, they had felt the unmistakable energy of the legendary being return and complete his 4,000th reincarnation cycle. They had been searching for the newest reincarnation and were relieved to have finally found him.
The monk then handed Zumi a small card, its edges worn and yellowed with age. On it, two addresses were written in precise calligraphy—one for a Tibetan mountain temple in China and another for their own temple, where the Monkey King had spent much of his past life practicing martial arts. "When you have time, Master, please come visit our temple," the monk implored. "There are many things we would love to discuss with you."
As Zumi took the card, the monk reached into his robes and pulled out a small ring. It gleamed with an otherworldly iridescence, reflecting swirling hues of countless dimensions within its crystalline core. Intricate runes adorned its surface, shimmering with ethereal light. The ring seemed to emanate an aura of hidden potential and veiled mysteries, waiting to be unlocked by the daring soul who dared to wear it.
"This is the Ring of Interdimensional Passage," the monk explained solemnly as he placed it in Zumi's open palm. "It will allow you to traverse through different planes at will, taking you to any location you have seen or been to before." Zumi marveled at the ring's power and thanked the monk for this rare artifact, feeling a sense of excitement and adventure stirring within him at the possibilities it held.
Zumi expressed his gratitude and promised to visit the temple when he had some free time. However, he mentioned that he needed to take care of some matters beforehand. Without hesitation, the monk bowed profoundly and replied with a simple, "Of course," before disappearing as if he had never been there in the first place.
Zumi placed the golden ring on his finger, and a joyful chime resounded from the system. A message materialized in his thoughts, outlining the immense powers of the mythical artifact now in his possession. He eagerly absorbed the instructions that appeared in his mind, eager to discover and harness its potential. As Zumi read through the details provided by the system, he learned the following:
Ring of Interdimensional Passage Abilities:
Interdimensional Walk: Upon donning the Ring of Interdimensional Passage, the wearer gains the extraordinary ability to walk between realms, traversing the boundaries of reality with ease. By tapping into the latent energies of the multiverse, the wearer can step through shimmering portals that lead to distant dimensions, parallel worlds, and ethereal planes beyond mortal comprehension.
Teleportation Mastery: With a clear and vivid mental image of their desired destination captured in the form of a color image, the wearer can focus their will through the ring to initiate a teleportation sequence. The ring acts as a conduit for their intent, drawing upon the magic of interdimensional travel to shift their physical form through the veil of reality and materialize at the designated location in a dazzling display of light and energy.
Dimensional Resonance: The Ring of Interdimensional Passage resonates with the vibrational frequencies of the cosmic tapestry, allowing the wearer to attune themselves to the unique signatures of different realms and planes of existence. This resonance enables the wearer to navigate the intricate web of dimensional pathways, guiding their journey across the vast expanse of creation with precision and clarity.
Spatial Perception: The ring establishes a connection between the wearer's mind and the fabric of reality, allowing the wearer to gain heightened spatial awareness and an intuitive understanding of the structures and geometries that govern the realms they traverse. This enhanced perception grants the wearer the ability to navigate treacherous landscapes, evade arcane traps, and outmaneuver interdimensional adversaries with grace and agility.
Temporal Anchoring: While the ring grants the wearer the power to transcend spatial boundaries and traverse between realms, it also serves as an anchor to their original temporal reference point. This temporal anchoring ensures that the wearer can return to their point of origin at will, preventing them from becoming lost in the vast maelstrom of interdimensional travel and ensuring their safe passage back to familiar territory.
As Zumi finished reading, he went back to the car, greeted Gia and Hinata, and instructed Gia to drive somewhere abandoned where he and Hinata could fight.
A Brief Insight into Hinata's Fighting Ability: She possesses a unique affinity for fire, a gift she has mastered through intense training and a deep connection to the elemental forces around her. Her body, blessed by the essence of fire, provides her with an innate advantage, enhancing her normal human capabilities by 20%, allowing her to surpass average human strength and agility. This blessing manifests not only as a boost to her physical prowess but also amplifies her resilience and stamina, making her a formidable opponent in any encounter.
With her fire powers, Hinata augments her physical strength by channeling flames into her muscles. As she focuses her energy, flames flicker along her limbs, wrapping around her arms and legs like living tendrils of heat. This fiery enhancement surges through her body, igniting her with a fierce glow that empowers her to strike and increases her explosive speed. Each punch and kick carries an added weight of fiery might, enabling her to break through barriers and devastate foes with unparalleled force.
Hinata's control over her fire powers is exceptional; she can direct the flames with precision, allowing her to send fire into living beings or inanimate objects. In combat, she often ignites her fists or feet just before making contact, causing devastating internal damage to her opponents. The moment her flames penetrate an object or a creature, they can wreak havoc from within, creating an unstoppable force that burns and sears through whatever it touches. This ability allows her to incapacitate enemies swiftly, as they are often taken by surprise by the invisible onslaught of fire that roils inside them.
In addition to her combat prowess, Hinata uses her flames tactically to manipulate her surroundings. She can ignite obstacles, creating barriers of fire or distractions that serve to disorient her opponents. Her control allows her to maintain flames without consuming herself, making her a master of both offense and defense. With every movement imbued with the essence of fire, Hinata becomes a whirlwind of scorching energy, embodying the very spirit of the flames that bless her.
Through disciplined practice and profound intuition, Hinata has transformed her fire powers into an extension of her own physical abilities, resulting in a warrior capable of overwhelming strength and cunning strategy. Her mastery of internal fire damage, paired with her enhanced capabilities, makes her a fierce ally and a daunting adversary in any confrontation, ensuring that her opponents feel the heat of her relentless resolve.
As Gia arrived at the abandoned land, Zumi instructed Hinata not to go easy on him. She replied, "Yes, Sir," as they stood before each other on the abandoned field. Gia stood by the car, watching the sparring match about to take place, eager to see her master fight. Zumi used flames to create a makeshift arena by melting the ground slightly. Seeing this, Hinata was pleased; she had not met another fire user in a long time.
The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows over the makeshift arena set for the sparring match. Gia moved closer to see the fight better; her enthusiasm was palpable as she anticipated a clash of elemental powers and martial mastery. The air crackled with tension, the kind reserved for legendary battles, as Hinata and Zumi took their positions.
Hinata stood confidently, her lengthy hair billowing slightly as the heat from her flames danced around her. The flickering fire tendrils glowed with energy, wrapping around her limbs like serpents, blending beauty with an intimidating display of power. She focused her mind, her fiery affinity intensifying her senses and heightening her adrenaline.
Across from her, Zumi had changed back into the suit he wore during the Yakuza war, exuding calmness despite the intensity of the moment. His mastery of martial arts made him a formidable opponent, his strength mirrored only by his innate ability to control fire. His posture was relaxed, but his eyes held a sharp focus—a reflection of his experiences, battles fought, and the past lives he had lived through the Monkey King.
With a nod to each other, the match began.
Hinata sprang forward, flames surging along her arms. A flurry of punches followed, each strike landing with the power of her empowered fire. Zumi met her speed coolly, dodging her fiery assaults with agility reminiscent of the Monkey King; he twisted and spun, using his physical prowess to weave through her attacks with precision.
Zumi retaliated, harnessing the flames around him to create a fiery barrier that danced to life just as Hinata charged in. The wave of heat forced her to momentarily retreat, but she was undeterred. With a quick exhale, Hinata redirected her flames, sending a concentrated wave toward him, igniting the ground as it passed.
Zumi summoned his own flames, enveloping his fists as he charged back at Hinata. Their strikes collided in a spectacular explosion of energy. The sound echoed like thunder, sending ripples through the surroundings. Each strike exchanged burned with intensity, neither fighter willing to yield despite the blistering heat surrounding them.
Feeling the strain, Hinata poured more energy into her attacks. She lunged forward with a series of rapid punches, each one igniting with fire just before contact. Zumi stumbled back, feeling the weight of her strength amplified by her flames.
Realizing he needed to change tactics, Zumi tapped into his Shaolin arts and executed a series of agile aerial maneuvers, attempting to outpace Hinata. He leaped over her fiery barrage, using his unique affinity for fire to create after-images of himself that danced in the air, confusing Hinata.
As the battle wore on, Hinata began to impose her will, landing several powerful hits that sent shockwaves through Zumi's body. Each blow ignited his resolve, but the toll was evident. Zumi's breaths came heavier; he pushed his limits, channeling his inner strength.
With a fierce battle cry, Hinata unleashed her most potent attack. Surrounding herself with a vortex of flames, she transformed into a blazing whirlwind of destructive energy. She charged at Zumi, who prepared for the onslaught, his own flames igniting into a defensive stance.
As Hinata's blazing fist hurtled toward him, Zumi realized that her physical strength far surpassed his own. He knew he couldn't take the blow without getting seriously injured. In a split second, as Hinata charged at him, Zumi's words caught her off guard, and she blushed in surprise. "Beautiful," he said, just before unconsciously activating his newly acquired ability from the ring. A shimmering portal of energy opened behind him, and with all his might, Zumi leapt back through it, narrowly avoiding Hinata's powerful blow as flames erupted where he had just been standing.
The force of Hinata's attack caused immense destruction in the arena, but at that moment, both Gia and Hinata lost track of Zumi's presence.
They panicked, thinking he had been annihilated. But suddenly, Zumi emerged from the portal and reentered the arena, breathing heavily but alive. The near-death experience ignited a new determination inside him to become even stronger.
With tears streaming down their faces, both girls rushed toward Zumi and embraced him tightly. Gia cried out, "I thought you died! I was so scared." Hinata sobbed, "I'm so glad you're okay! I thought I killed you... Sometimes, I don't know my own strength, and I get too carried away in battles."
With a deep breath, Zumi looked at the girls and chuckled softly, a warm smile breaking through his tiredness. He placed an arm around each of them, grateful for their concern and comfort. "I'm fine," he reassured them. "No need to worry. Hinata, you were incredibly powerful today," he said with admiration in his voice.
He then went on to explain about the ring, the Ring of Interdimensional Passage, and how it had saved him from Hinata's devastating attack and brought him back to this reality. The girls listened intently, hanging on to every word as they walked back to the car. The drive home was filled with silence and solemnity, each one lost in their thoughts about the events that had just transpired.
They arrived at the Dojima Estate, where Ana and Cathy were waiting for them. As they packed their things into the trunk of the car, they couldn't help but admire its sleek design and powerful engine. Hinata introduced herself to Ana and Cathy, her eyes shining with excitement as she was welcomed into their group.