Ranma sent a quick glance over to Michiru before he sent a questioning stare at his father. There was one question in Ranma's mind as his brain processed Genma's statement. Why were they getting an apartment? Although Ranma wanted to have an actual house to call home, he had never expected Genma go and get one. For the past ten years the Saotomes had basically been nomads; living in their tents as they chased after martial arts tournaments all across Japan and the Far East. After ten years, Ranma could count the number of times that he and his father lived in the same spot for two consecutive months on one hand.
While Ranma was wondering about Genma's decision, the wheels in Michiru's mind were spinning at full speed. What would cause her master's good for almost nothing father decide to apparently settle down. Most likely it wasn't any form of governmental regulation coming to bare on the balding buffoon. Unlike other young teens, Ranma was held to a looser academic requirement by law. The lower standards were because Ranma was classified as a Myrmidon; a free fighter as opposed to a gladiator or enslaved fighter. Not that Ranma needed to use his status as a Myrmidon to get by in school, Michiru had seen to that. So the question was, why was Genma doing such an unexpected move?
Finally Ranma's patience, which had already been tested by that jerk at the counter, could hold his curiosity in no longer. Ranma took a single steep closer to Genma and said, "Alright Pops whats the deal? I mean, you have never wanted us to get an apartment before." Letting out a small snort the younger Saotome continued to dig into the elder Saotome, "In fact, I seem to recall you barely willing to fork over the cash for a cheep hotel even when their was no place for us to pitch our tents!"
Genma threw his hands in the air and dramatically said, "Oh Gods, what a dishonorable and idiotic son I have." A quick glance showed Genma that Ranma and Michiru weren't buying his act. Dropping the act Genma adjusted his glasses and continued in a more somber tone. "Look Ranma, you've managed to build up an excellent reputation as a Myrmidon, as much as I hate to admit it you're in the top 100 fighters under 21 years of age in the entire Far East League." Michiru and Ranma were both genuinely surprised that Genma was willing to admit that Ranma was an excellent fighter.
Not willing to let Ranma start to boast about that concession in front of him, Genma quickly continued to talk. "However Ranma, you're coming up on a tricky period in your career. While you may be great in the junior League, your skills are only slightly above average for the adult League. We're settling down so that you can concentrate on your training and education. You'll still be going into enough tournaments to keep your Myrmidon status and your name in the local papers. However, we WILL be severely cutting back on the amount of tournaments you enter. That way when you turn 21, you'll be at the same skill level as some of the big shot Myrmidons like that American Terry Bogard. Nerima is known throughout the Kanto and Joto regions as an excellent place for Japanese Arena Fighters to live and train so that's why we're settling down there."
Ranma and Michiru turned and shared a deep understanding glance. While neither greatly respected Genma, Michiru only showed the minimum respect that Genma was due because he was her master's father, they knew that Genma loved Ranma. True Genma had a funny way of showing it at times, but occasionally he was able to show it very clearly. Genma's plan, as surprising as it was that he had come up with it, was geared to giving Ranma the best shot at succeeding in the long run. And so with a rare joy, Ranma and Michiru followed Genma as he led the trio to the new Saotome apartment.
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(Posted Thu, 03 Jan 2008 05:32)
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