Buddyfight Ace, Path To Liberation

Path To Liberation, Wrath Of Max (Chap 40)

Synopsis: Hou explains why he hid the truth about his mentor's death. After that, Masato and Daijirou face off once again, with Daijirou showing the results of his training.

OP: Black and White

Continuing from the previous story, outside of Guru's Hut, they all sat down in a circle, legs crossed on the open grass. They all pay attention to Hou himself as he looks at them sadly.

Hou: I'm very sorry that I kept it a secret. But...Guru...Our Master, one of my greatest friends... passed away a few months ago.

Everyone is very worried.

Hou: The reason why I didn't share it with his students, aka Daijirou, Seiji, Note, Kanessada, Kei, Mamoru, Rei, and myself, is simple. I didn't want this news to suddenly ruin everything. And if we know our Master well, he wouldn't want his death to frown on all of us.

Everyone is quite surprised.

Kanessada: (Nods sadly) You're right. But still, this made me feel like I disrespected him.

Note: Yeah, Hou. You should've told us about this.

Seiji: What were you even thinking?

Hou: (Calms them) I know. I know. I'm sorry. I take no excuse for my actions. But please...it was tough to share back then. I just couldn't...(sigh) Doesn't matter, I'm an idiot for hiding this.

Daijirou: Calm Down. You're not an idiot. You just cared too much for us back then. You just couldn't bear to suddenly drop the bombshell on us.

Mamoru: True, you're the one who kept encouraging us to keep going whenever we gave up on something. And you were closest to Guru the most. You knew him so well that if he were alive, he would keep your mouth shut.

Hearing this, Hou is surprised but nods in agreement sadly.

Kei: Just don't do it again. Next time, just tell us if something goes wrong.

Hou: (Nods) I will. I promise.

Daryl: But I don't understand. Why didn't you tell me and Masato that you trained under him?

Seiji: It's because Guru told us not to. He didn't want his secrets to fall into the wrong hands. Plus, if Hou did, then you would seek him non-stop, and Guru would feel bombarded big time, wouldn't he?

Daryl: Ah?

Seiji: I know you, Daryl. You're the type to pursue any possible knowledge, no? This includes Buddyfight.

Daijirou: The same for you, Masato. You would constantly seek guidance to overcome any challenges that arise. Including seeking for Guru himself.

Hearing this, Daryl & Masato feel a bit ashamed but agree.

Shiloh: So you guys respect Guru greatly. I wish I could have met him, though.

Daijirou: He is a wise but also strange mentor. None of us can sometimes tell his nature.

Seiji: But because of Him, we have become who we are today.

Kanessada: But I have a question. How did he pass away exactly, Hou?

Hearing Kanessada's request, Hou's mood shifts to even greater sadness as his eyes are slowly being covered by shade.

Hou: (Flashback) One day, Garga & I came for a visit. The moment the door was opened, he was on the ground.

Garga: We were shocked. Not a single pulse. His body was freezing. We tried to wake him up countless times, however...

Hou Ren's tears are showing as he grips his left wrist. He suddenly becomes Demonic.