Chapter 53:
Saved By The Bell!
(As the next day approaches, Mike was then fishing out in a pond inside the now unoccupied forest inside Hanying Academy's campus and outside the school and basks in the cool breeze and the sounds of nature. Suddenly, rustling was heard in the trees and the bushes, Mike pays either no mind before a glowing pair of yellow eyes shines at the top of the trees. Pouncing out the trees at full speed was Raneri in a normal school uniform attempting to sneak attack Mike, leading her to miss with Mike's quick instinctive movement then being bonked on the head with the fishing pole.)
"Raneri: Ouwh!"
"Mike: Too noticeable, you gotta try harder if you want to sneak attack me."
"Raneri: Ouch... You didn't have to hit me that hard, Mike..."
"Mike: Well I don't wanna let go of my fishing pole, I don't wanna risk missing a single bite on the bait."
"Raneri: Hm... I don't understand fishing. What's the point of waiting for something to come to you when you can hunt for it yourself?"
"Mike: Fishing has multiple uses. You can admire the scenic views of nature, the wonderful smell of the air and stare at the calm rushing waters within this very body of water."
"Raneri: Mmm... Can I try?"
"Mike: Help yourself!"
(Mike would then switch with Raneri as she was standing and attempting to understand what Mike was talking about. With a few minutes passing by, Raneri would continue to stare at the pond as Mike smoked a cigarette, awaiting for the very moment the line starts to pull. Suddenly, the line pulled Raneri toward the water, shocking the two of them.)
"Raneri: Huh?! What do I do?! The line is pulling!!"
"Mike: Pull it back! Not too fast and not too rough, got to fight to eat!"
"Raneri: Okay!"
(Raneri would then position herself to pull and yank the line back, fighting the fish in the pond and pull it to the surface. With Raneri's arms being pulled back strongly, she'd anchor her feet onto the ground, growing a small amount of muscle onto her arms and pulls the line back once again, Mike speechless for he does not need to tell her what to do next.)
"Mike: ALMOST THERE! COME ON, A LITTLE MORE! YANK THAT SON OF A BITCH OUT THE WATER!"
"Raneri: I WILL NOT LOSE TO A DAMNED FISH!!"
(Raneri would then growl before pulling with enough force, yanking a jumbo sized Koi out of the water and Raneri catches it, Mike stunned and applauds her ecstatically.)
"Mike: AHAHAAAA! WAY TO GO, RANERI!! I'M SO PROUD OF YOU, LOOK AT THIS THING!"
"Raneri: I FISHED!! I ACTUALLY FISHED!!"
(With the two celebrating Raneri's catch, they'd then bring the fish back to the academy's cafeteria in which Mike with the rest of the group being served Fried Koi with Shrimp, vegetables and a fruit salad as a side.)
"Mike: Here you go gang, eat up!"
"Henry: Whoa, is this Koi?"
"Mike: That's right! Our friend here Raneri managed to catch a jumbo Koi!"
"Senri: Jumbo.. Koi? I've never seen one before."
"Raneri: Neither have I.. But thanks to Ack-.. Mike, I was able to see more than I was ever able to."
"Mike: You're gonna fit well with the group, now lets eat! I got some desserts on the way for all of us."
"All: Thanks for the food!"
(With the group then all together at last, eating together while socializing and chatting, most of the school students were jealous at how well they all were getting along and meanwhile, the Senior Champion, Yuan Li were watching Mike and the others enjoy their lunch as a group while trying to remember the last time he's ate with a group and not alone.)
"Yuan: Huh. They're actually having fun. Happy for them, but I'm still hoping Hunter took my advice. It'll help him. Heh, whatever happens, happens. All that matters is I prepare for the day he manages to climb the ranks and defeat me... If he can win the tournament that is."
(With Yuan then walking off to his scheduled class, he'd ponder in his head the very tournaments he's won continuously time and time again. Meanwhile as the group then finished off their lunch and dessert an hour later, Mike received an incoming call from an unknown number before stepping outside the school to answer.)
"Mike: I'll be back everyone, I got a call."
(With Mike then outside the hall, he'd then walk outside and answers the phone.)
"Mike: Hello?"
"Wukong: Mr. Ackerman, please forgive me for this unexpected call. It's Wukong."
"Mike: ...Wukong? I'll get to how you got my number later, but what do you need?"
"Wukong: I know you're a very busy man so I will get straight to the point. Do you know anything about The Five Scrolls of Asia?"
"Mike: ..Five Scrolls of Asia? Even if I were to know about something like that, why would you ask a foreigner this question?"
"Wukong: Under the circumstances that you're the 5th God of Combat, it's kind of difficult to assume you haven't heard about it."
"Mike: Smart, I like that and to answer your question, no. I don't know anything about it. Now allow me to ask you another question, what exactly does calling me have to do with these scrolls?"
"Wukong: Me and my sister, Xiangya. You should remember her as the Ivory Tiger? We've done some investigating on Raneri Niao and we've found something interesting. She's a bioengineered Superhuman, but according to a classified record, it's said she has the ability to regenerate even if her body was flattened."
"Mike: ...Where the-.. How the fuck does an ability like regeneration have any chance of repairing you after being squished into a pancake?"
"Wukong: That's why I've called you, have you experienced first hand any of Miss Niao's regenerative abilities?"
(Mike would recall multiple moments during her fight with Renzo to where her regeneration abilities were active.)
"Mike: Several times."
"Wukong: ...It seems she must've collected one of the five scrolls."
"Mike: Alright, I'll bite. What the hell is so important about these scrolls?"
"Wukong: These scrolls were written in ancient time and were unable to be found, until the beginning of the 21st Century."
(Wukong would then begin to explain the origin of the Five Scrolls of Asia.)
"Wukong: Many centuries ago, The Five Scrolls of Asia were all created by Deities. The ones who've once walked among the humans. Many for years have believed that Gods were myths, fictional beings that are worshipped by delusional followers. Until the final day of the 10th Century, the Gods have agreed to part ways with humankind and instead leave a gift of power to the people of Asia. At the time, Asia still held high in physical melee combat, highly talented martial artists and even rare disciples to our Asian Deities. The Five Gods during this era were Amaterasu, The Jade Emperor, Garuda, Durga and Shiva. Before these five Gods departed, the power they've left to the humans in Asia were these five scrolls. The Five Scrolls of Asia consisted of Strength, Agility, Endurance, Rebirth and Intelligence. These five scrolls were able to create the perfect Martial Artist if one man or woman were to collect and read all five."
(With Mike then stunned by the truth of what the Five Scrolls of Asia is, he could now understand why if in the wrong hands, it would be a disastrous threat.)
"Wukong: The reason I've called you is because we have reason to believe that Miss Niao read the fourth scroll of Asia. The Scroll of Rebirth, implanting her forever with the inability to die regardless of the cause of death. To give an example, if she were to lose her head, the power engraved into her would regenerate a new head."
"Mike: ..What the fuck..?!"
"Wukong: Its imperative Mr. Ackerman that I've asked you these questions in order for our rumor to be confirmed. The Scroll of Rebirth has been the most targeted scroll by many evil martial artists and that very scroll has been missing since the 1400's."
"Mike: ...So you're telling me this entire time, not even I am able to kill her?"
"Wukong: ...Until there's a way to combat the power of that very scroll, no."
"Mike: You did me a favor in answering many questions of mine. But now, I need to know something else... Where exactly are the locations of these current scrolls?"
"Wukong: I am not sure, the scrolls have been deemed missing for many years. However, The Scroll of Strength lies within the depths of Japan and The Scroll of Endurance is nowhere to be found, along with The Scroll of Intelligence. However, my master and us have done our best to hide and protect The Scroll of Agility. In return for a favor, I will gladly hand over the scroll to you, Mr. Ackerman."
"Mike: Depends on the favor, but these scrolls must be found at all costs."
"Wukong: The favor is you allow us as The Mythical Five further investigation and research on Raneri Niao and Tai Yan. We were also informed of the battle that took place a few weeks ago at Hanying Academy."
"Mike: Granted. I will run it over with the Global Government and grant The Mythical Five further permission."
"Wukong: Thank you, Mr. Ackerman. I look forward to giving you any further updates."
"Mike: Me too."
(With the two hanging up simultaneously, Mike then turns around and takes one look at the school, thinking about how he should go about the rest of his training for Raneri. Meanwhile as hours pass into midday, Wukong was finishing his miniature Zen garden with soothing meditation music was playing before his door was knocked on, allowing him to halt for a moment and answer.)
"Wu: Enter."
(Entering his room once again was Tuzi Yuhan, excited to tell him the news, she would jump onto Wukong before crawling onto his back like a clingy little sister to him, he was curious to what Tuzi wanted.)
"Tuzi: Brother Tao! We've found Xin Sui!"
"Wu: Really?"
"Tuzi: Yes! Yes! He's currently hiding out at the Wofo Temple!"
"Wu: The Wofo Temple? Hm... Gather the others, we must inform our master."
(With Tuzi then rushing to inform the others and Jie about Xin Sui's location, all were then gathered into the main training hall in which Jie then came with a decision.)
"Jie: It's perfectly clear that the elimination of Xin Sui is a must, but we cannot be too hasty... After giving it some thought, my children..."
(They'd all await the permission to hunt down Xin.)
"Jie: ..It would be best if you all were to wait."
"Xiangya: ..What..?! Master, forgive me for speaking out of line... But Xin attacked you! He nearly destroyed the dojo, we finally have him tracked and you're telling us to stand down!"
"Feng: It's with reason, Sister Hu. If we were to attack too quickly, we wouldn't have enough information to counter whatever he could be planning."
"Tuzi: After all, if we fight Xin without being smart, we'll be doomed!"
"Gui: They are right, Sister Hu."
"Xiangya: ..Brother Tao, you've wanted vengeance against Xin Sui the longest out of any of us, please tell me you're with me..!"
"Wu: Forgive me sister, but I am not. What our master says is his wish and as his children and disciples, we must obey and accept our master and father's wishes. I would never go against his words."
"Jie: Thank you, Wu."
"Xiangya: ...B-But Master..!"
"Jie: Xiangya, I know you wish for him to be defeated. But if I were to send you five out right now, the odds are likely he could've planned something big and we won't know what it is if we act immediately. We must wait, do you understand?"
"Xiangya: ..I understand, Master."
"Jie: Thank you. I care a great deal about you five and I'll do anything to protect all of you. I will send out the palace's spies to investigate and report back what they know. Only then, will my decision be changed."
"All: Understood, Master."
(With Jie then departing early to bed for the day, Wukong and the others would go about their own activities as Xiangya returned to her room infuriated but cooled off... for now.)
"Xiangya: How could they want to wait...?! Xin Sui is in the palm of our hands, he's in our sights and now we have to sit around and wait...?! GGRRAAHH!.. No. I'm not going to sit around and wait for him to kill another Martial Artist. He dies, tonight!"
(With hours passing and entering the night, specifically 1:15 AM in the morning. The entire dojo was asleep as Xiangya's bed was seen empty, standing on the top of the dojo was Xiangya herself as she stared into the direction Xin Sui currently is hiding out and pounces off the top of the dojo and down the mountain, using her feline like movement to move at fast speeds off the mountain and into the forest, running toward the Wofo Temple. Following behind her was Feng whom was gliding at fast speeds in the air, on ground was Gui following the two and lastly Tuzi catching up to Xiangya as she finally noticed.)
"Xiangya: Huh?! Tuzi?!"
"Tuzi: You know we could tell Brother Tao on you, right?"
"Gui: But if you're going out on your own choice, we have no choice but to come with you."
"Feng: We'll all be getting an earful from Brother Tao when this is over you know!"
"Xiangya: Heh... Let's just make sure we get it done before the morning! Come on!"
(With Xiangya picking up speed, the others would follow Xiangya toward the Wofo Temple, where meanwhile, Xin was currently sleeping on the roof of the defaced Buddhist Temple as he was unaware The Mythical Five were on their way.)
"Xin: ...zzzz..."
(With the sound of wind brushing against the trees, the smallest crack of a branch would awaken Xin for a split moment before being met with an agent he's recently hired sitting afar from him as he awaited Xin to wake up.)
"Xin: ..What do you want?"
"Agent: I know you wanted me to protect you while you're sleeping sir, but those mafia members are back."
(With Xin then stretching in the moonlight of the moon, he'd keep his eyes closed as he was still sleepy. He'd then hear the approaching group of mafia members before jumping down the temple, walking toward the group and were one feet apart from each other.)
"Mafia Leader: Xin Sui."
"Xin: Yeah, yeah.. I'm a little annoyed that my sleep was disrupted. The hell do you got for me?"
"Mafia Leader: Show him."
(With the members then revealing a heavy crate, they'd place it on the ground and Xin opens the crate with one kick, breaking through and is revealed a humanoid cybernetic model of something soon to become a major threat to the entirety of the Superhuman population.)
"Xin: ...Hm. How long did it take your engineers?"
"Mafia Leader: About six years of production, good sir."
"Xin: And you're certain a large number of these will eliminate only Superhumans?"
"Mafia Leader: When programed, yes it will. But it can target specific targets if updated into the Global Fighters Ranking system."
"Xin: Good. Agent, hand him the money. Now another thing, what do you call this?"
"Mafia Leader: We call it, the Android Of Superhuman Elimination.. or AOSE for short."
(With the flimsy agent then handing the mafia members their expected count of money of exactly 545 Billion Yuan (in which rounding to U.S Dollars is over $7.40 Billion.) With the deal officially made, the humanoid cyborg was now in possession of Xin Sui and was activated immediately. With the cyborg immediately active alike a human, it would also appear like a human before scanning the area for incoming threats.)
"AOSE: Incoming hostile targets from the southeast, arrival time, fifty seconds."
"Mafia Leader: What the?! Did you set us up?!"
"Xin: Aose, scan targets."
(Within seconds, the scanning has been complete.)
"AOSE: Scanning complete, the enemies are The Mythical Five, excluding Wukong, leader of The Mythical Five."
(With the Mafia members then freaking out, it's leader then demanded them all to shut up as Xin opens his eyes, staring in the sky to look at the moon as he then inhales deeply and exhales sharply.)
"Xin: I've got what I needed, you people should get out of here and quick."
"Mafia Leader: You heard him boys, grab the money and lets go!"
(With the Mafia quickly rushing out of sight, Xiangya, Tuzi, Feng and Gui were all then arriving to Xin's location, ready to battle without hesitation to put him down for good.)
"Xin: I have no clue how the hell you bastards managed to find where I am, but its quite a good thing. Now, I can gladly take all of you down.. Then go after Wukong in the morning!"
"Feng: Quite the bold assumption you'll go after our brother after defeating the four of us."
"Xiangya: The sooner you're dead, the sooner the world can no longer sit in fear!"
"Xin: Typical fighter plan, fight to kill instead of bringing me in for interrogation?"
"Gui: To think you're eligible for interrogation is comical!"
"Tuzi: You're not gonna get away from us this time!"
"Xiangya: Mythical Five! Lets kill him for good!"
(With the four simultaneously spread out and attempting to attack together, Xin would then inhale deeply and yell into the skies.)
"Xin: TIME TO KILL! YOU DIPSHITS ARE GONNA PUT ME AT THE TOP OF THE RANKS!!"
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