Ranma of Ryozampaku

Part 4: Ranma vs Kenichi!

It had been a month since Ranma started training with Miu at the Ryozampaku dojo, and he had gotten used to dodging Kensei Ma's attempts to drench him with cold water as soon as he headed for the exit. Every time he stepped out, Shigure would chase after him, in a peculiar display of "female solidarity."

The masters appreciated the newcomer's skill, even though they mostly expressed it with monosyllables, nods, and satisfied smiles. The exception was Sakaki, who, between sips of beer, never missed a chance to praise "the kid's spirit" contrasting it with "their disciple", comments that invariably sent Kenichi into a deep depression.

Everyone, however, was pleased to see the effect that finally having a training partner at her level had on Miu: for the first time in her life, she could afford to let go, fighting without holding back or fearing she might hurt her sparring partner.

At the same time, she pushed herself to be creative and aggressive because Ranma was still better than her and countered her every move. Their training sessions were intense, fast, technical, and always different; with the acrobatic style that characterized both of them, they ended up resembling a dance, as elegant as it was lethal.

Through fighting, both Ranma and Miu could truly express themselves. Strikingly similar in style and personal history, they fought purely for the joy of it, and anyone who knew the blonde girl would say they had never seen her as happy as she was during those days.

As for Ranma, his respect for girls in general, and for Miu in particular, had grown significantly; aside from Akane, who had never been as deeply immersed in martial arts as he was, the ponytailed boy had met several girls with high-level combat skills, like Shampoo or Ukyo, but none of them had ever been his equal. And even disregarding Genma's misogynistic teachings, the boy had come to the conclusion that females likely had inherent physical limitations that prevented them from progressing beyond a certain level.

Miu's very existence disproved this assumption: although Ranma was superior to her in every aspect, the girl from the Furinji clan possessed speed, strength, and technical skills of a very high level.

One day, after one of their sparring sessions, it was the Elder, sitting as usual with his legs crossed and a lollipop in hand, who spoke up.

"Since you started training last month, both of you have improved, Ranma-kun. I'm really glad you came to Ryozampaku."

"So am I," the boy replied, "and I have to admit, I never imagined there was a girl my age with skills at this level. Before coming here, I was convinced that girls were necessarily less skilled at fighting than men."

At that comment, Miu shot him an amused look, raising an eyebrow. Hearing Ranma-kun talk like that bothered her a bit, but at the same time, she was flattered to be the one who made him change his mind and was pleased with his sincere compliments.

"However, there might be something else you could do for our dojo, if you don't mind," the Elder continued.

"If I can help, sure," the pigtailed boy replied without hesitation.

A few neutral and curious glances turned toward them. No one knew where this was going.

"I'm asking you to take on an official match with Kenichi, our first disciple."

At those words, the courtyard fell silent.

Miu was stunned.

The other Masters exchanged interested, perhaps slightly amused looks. Some grins formed on their faces as if they had expected this all along and were wondering if it was too soon or not.

Ranma was the very picture of astonishment.

Kenichi was shocked.

The Elder remained impassive.