[Ken does a quick flip in the air and lands on his hands.] KEN: It is lucky that I studied the high-flying acrobatic wrestlers during my training! ¡Vamos! [he moves on with the rest of the group.]
RANMA: Pop's been hiding this thing from me a long time, Akane. Apparently, this old guy'll teach anyone of his choosing this Zenzan... supposedly an invincible technique. Of course, that anyone's gonna be me. (Looks at Akane's far from ecstatic stare.) Don't worry, Akane, you can sit this one out if you want...
The man leads the four down another unecessarily long hallway and stops at a large double-door. Once again, pulling out a large chain of keys, he springs it open, and leads the upside-down-inside-out-dripping-wet guests inside. This room is far different from the others, sporting a more traditional floor. The guest's hands make a nice "pitpat" on the tatami tiling. Small paper walls enclose a small shrine at the back of the room, where an old fellow sits, crosslegged with his back to the entrants. "Master, these four have requested to see you in a most insistent matter. They have been duly cleansed as your most highest rules express." The man does not turn, instead speaking in a half cough, half rasp. "I am surprised that a group so young would have the discipline to cleanse themselves properly. Still, I have no time to waste with the reckless youth as such I smell. Give me one reason why I shouldn't banish you from my presence right this moment!"
Akane: (kicks Ranma in the face.) Just for that, I'M GONNA GET THE ZENZAN TECHNIQUE! That strange old guy is pretty mean and he asked me to walk on my hands. ------------------ Some Trucks say: ~If you are reading this you are too close~ Aren't they mean?(Ok so I couldn't think up a good signature)
Ken tries to remember some of his (limited) training in the Japanese culture, but ends up remembering some old samurai movies instead. KEN[bowing low]: Oh great and noble master, I have travelled from far and wide with the hope of training under you to learn the ultimate technique. I would be most honoured if you would have me as your apprentice. [begins to sweat from the strain of somehow both bowing, and standing on his hands at the same time]
The man makes little motion, half-flicking a fan which he holds on his far side... Almost immediately afterwards, Ken falls to the floor... though whether it was because of the fan, or the strain of handstandbowing, is unclear... "Enough from you. Hold silent until I hear what the others have to say."
A look of realization crosses Buru's face as he suddenly remembers facing far too many angry parents. Buru (in Portugese): Well, can't do it in *this* position... but we *are* done walking.. Buru lightly 'folds' down from his current handstand into something bearing a strangely strong resemblance to 'the Crouch of the Wild Tiger' Buru (back to Japanese): Oh Master! I am sorry for my impertinence until now, please teach me what I must do to earn your favor! I swear, your daughter approached me! ...umm... I mean, I swear I only mean to learn from you so as to protect Italian virginity! no.. that wasn't it... His natural wit leaving him as it always does in the face of an angry parent, Buru remains with his palms and face to the ground.
The old man loudly sighs. "I find your thoughts too muddled in tribal matters of small girls and boys thinking they have grasped meaning from love. Your dialect is nearly proper, but far from honorific in my terms. Step aside, and allow the remainder to attempt to save the group from your offensive blathering."
Kuno is getting rather perturbed that this guy has no clue that he is from the household of Kuno. Although he tries to keep his anger down due to this man being the keeper of the Zenzan technique. Kuno(still doing the handstand): Oh Wise Master of Zenzan, methinks that it would be a great honour to learn the ultimate technique from thee. Such training will allow me to become a Kendo Master. And under thine awesome training, I can finally bring my Shinai to good use. Kuno(thinking): And I'll finally be able to defeat the vile Ranma Saotome with this so called Zenzan!
Ryoga : (gettin kinda mad at this old guy he goes up to him)(graps him by his shirt)TELL US OLD MAN!!!!!!!!!!I must LEarn this zenzan technique so i can defeat that ranma!!!!!but enough with the chit chat teach us this technique and then we will be on are way!!!! [This message has been edited by TamaKameKami (edited 11-23-2001).]
The man's fan flies out of his grasp and flutters to the floor. He is obviously shocked as Ryoga lifts him by the scruff of the neck. "I'm sorry! I'm sorry! We can work this out, I'm sure we can!" After Ryoga reluctantly gives him the chance to speak, the man gathers his composure back, though slipping into casual talk, his nobility suddenly failing. "The truth is... I can't be the guy you're looking for. I'm no great martial artsist like you claim... I don't even know what this Zenzen thing you want is! I only played along this long to teach you good-for-nothings a little about respecting your elders!!"
KEN mad : You ... Mean ... To tell me ... That you've ... Wasted ... All of our time ... For nothing? ... ¡IDIOTO! I COME TO THIS COUNTRY TO SEEK HONOUR IN MY PROFESSION, AND I HAVE TO PUT UP WITH SUCH ... SUCH ... (struggles with the language barrier for a moment) ... INCOMPETENCE! I WARN YOU NOT TO ANGER A WRESTLER! WE'RE AN UNPREDICTABLE PROFESSION! At this point, Ken begins babbling in his native Spanish about how he should have just stayed in Mexico and faced shame and unemployment over this.
OLD MAN: (Struggling in mid-air) N-Now, don't get too anrgy... I-I may... be able to help you...I used to be friends with a guy here in town who was into them martial arts... maybe he's the one you're looking for?
KEN (to Old Man) : Señor, you have twenty seconds to convince me, or I will have to demonstrate some of my submission holds on you.
Kuno grabs for his shinai sword and points at the old mans neck. Kuno : Thou darest to mock the Blue Thunder of Furinkan High, the Sempai of all gorgeous woman?? With this technique Akane and the Pig Tailed girl were supposed to be mine, and YOU dare to make a fool of ME? Kuno lowers his weapon Kuno : I will forgive you this time giving that thou will tell me the name and location of your old aquaintance!
Walks into the room where everybody is, surprised. Akane: Huh?! What's happening here? Are you teaching the zenzan technique now?
The old man turns to look at Akane as she enters, then immediately back to his "captors"... "Let me see, uh.... Oh that's right! It just happens to be that he sent me a letter this morning... I haven't bothered to read it yet, however... Like I said, he was an old friend... I don't really care all that much for him anymore..." He proceeds to pull a sealed note from his garments, but in nervousness, it flutters from his grip to the ground in the midst of everyone present..... * * * * RANMA: That stupid Akane! If she thinks she's gonna beat me to that ultimate technique, she's got more empty space in that head of hers than I thought... (suddenly notices the guard dogs resuming attack stances and growling) ...Uh...nice doggies?
Ken, using his finely-tuned reflexes, grabs the letter. KEN: I will read this letter, and we will be on our way, señor. The wrestler opens the letter, and then remembers that he can speak Japanese, but can't read it. KEN (aside): ¡Idioto! How could I have forgotten that ... (to others) One of you take this. I can't use it.
Akane:Oh. So you don't have the ZenZan technique? (Trying to balance on one hand, then decides since this guy doesn't have the zenzan technique, what's the point of walking on her hands? Gets up and goes and snatches the letter) Akane: Thank You. [This message has been edited by Meaikoh_Takashi (edited 11-29-2001).]
