Mamoru was now working at a traditional style inn over in Sendai, he had enough skills that he was going to be gainfully employed though likely he'd be rented out for use by the female guests that fancied him.
Usagi, Rei, and Makoto had all been purchased by the same individual. Name: Ranma Saotome, occupation: martial arts student.
Ami bit her lip, trying to find other information and not finding much of anything that she could get into besides age, height, weight, and similar basics. Oh, the Mercury Computer could likely hack the Chains Of Mercy website - the charity organization that supplied medical services and campaigned for better care for slaves - and get details. The boy had passed a psychological exam, though a note indicated that the worker had found some problems that she wanted to investigate more fully when a chance occurred.
Ami shuddered. What if the psychological problems were... or then what if he was... oh how horrible! And a sixteen year old martial artist! Why he might... ALL NIGHT LONG! She could just picture poor Usagi struggling as she was tied down, her Master forcing her to-
Ami shifted, suddenly aware of her own body reacting in ways that just didn't jibe with how bad the situation actually was. She'd have to call Minako and the two of them could sneak over at some point once she found an address.
Ranma and his father looked over the flyer, then the more detailed information at the actual site.
There were Arenas for various sports like gladiatorial games, yet another difference from the world they'd originated from. In some sports there would be contract slaves going up directly against freemen, or convict slaves against anyone. Some of the worst offenders of the convict slaves would find themselves pitted in gladiatorial games that would not have been out of place in Roman times.
Martial Arts competitions like this one served several purposes. Advertising for schools of martial arts, chances for mamluk-yojimbo and mamluk-soldiers to prove their skills, settling disputes and wagers between individuals, and other such things.
The "Nerima Big Brawl" was one such. Ranma and Genma knew to skip through the History section, which was almost certainly made up or so skewed from reality that it wasn't worth sifting through for the shards of truth within. Glancing over the Rules proved it was fairly typical of the kind of tournament. Some points were involved but it mainly concerned beating one's opponent senseless or tossing them out of the ring.
That was when Genma ran across the bit of information that decided that Ranma would indeed be fighting in this tournament.
"Loser choice?" asked Ranma.
"Yes," said the woman behind the counter. "Contract slave, four year duration."
"Ah," said Ranma, understanding. By having the prize of a contract buyout, someone who'd ended up in slavery due to economic hardship or something could immediately achieve freedom. The fights between what were typically such noncombatants were very entertaining to some people.
"One million, seven hundred thousand yen," said Genma, practically drooling.
"That third prize sounds good too, oyaji," pointed out Ranma. "There's liable to be some really tough opponents there."
"Chickening out?" asked Genma.
"Hell no," replied Ranma. "What are the odds on me taking out some of the world-class though?"
"There are some very famous fighters rumored to be attending," eagerly put forth the counter-girl.
It was inevitable that Ranma would be signed up once the challenge was made. It was just that he didn't realize at this point that also in attendence would be:
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(Posted Sun, 29 Aug 2004 08:11)
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