-The Chinese Master-
Three days passed in a blur of intense training. Reina pushed herself harder than ever before, refining her techniques under Doppo's watchful eye, sparring with Katsumi until they were both exhausted, and studying everything she could find about Chinese Kenpo and Retsu Kaioh.
Retsu Kaioh was a legend. At approximately 5'9" and 233 pounds of pure muscle, he embodied 4,000 years of Chinese martial arts history. His appearance was distinctive—long black hair tied back in a traditional Chinese queue (a long ponytail), sharp features that carried both intelligence and warrior's intensity, and a physique that was perfectly balanced between power and technique.
He was a Kaioh—a Sea King—the highest rank in Chinese Kenpo, a title that marked him as one of the greatest martial artists in the world. He was trained by the legendary Ryu Kaioh and was second only to the ancient Kaku Kaioh in Chinese martial arts mastery.
More importantly, Retsu was a purist. He believed absolutely in the supremacy of Chinese Kenpo, dedicating his entire life to perfecting and proving its effectiveness. He had come to Japan specifically to test himself against other martial arts, and now he wanted to test the female Hanma who demonstrated "impossible" techniques.
The night before the fight, Reina sat alone in the Shinshinkai dojo, meditating. Her mother's crane pendant rested against her chest, a reminder of what she was fighting for.
"Nervous?"
She opened her eyes to find Baki standing in the doorway, his hands in his pockets, his expression curious.
"A little," Reina admitted. "Retsu is no joke. He's one of the strongest fighters in the world."
Baki walked in and sat down across from her. "I fought him once. In the Maximum Tournament. He pushed me harder than almost anyone else. His Chinese Kenpo is the real deal—thousands of years of combat wisdom compressed into devastating technique."
"Any advice?"
"Don't underestimate his defense. Chinese Kenpo is as much about redirecting force as it is about generating it. And his Sunkei—his ultimate technique—can generate a shockwave powerful enough to destroy internal organs without even touching you." Baki's expression grew serious. "But you have advantages he doesn't expect. Your Absolute Reflexes, your Hokuto Shinken, your Renewal Taekwondo. He's never faced anything like you."
"Neither has anyone else," Reina said with a slight smile. "That's both my strength and my weakness. I'm untested against truly world-class opponents."
"Then tomorrow you'll get your test." Baki stood. "And sister? Show him what a Hanma can do. Male or female, we're the strongest bloodline on Earth. Don't let him forget it."
After Baki left, Reina continued her meditation, centering herself for the battle ahead.
-The Underground Arena-
The Underground Arena beneath the Tokyo Dome was packed to capacity. Word had spread that Retsu Kaioh was fighting the female Hanma, and everyone wanted to witness this historic match. The six underground floors of the arena were filled with spectators—wealthy patrons, martial artists, gangsters, and fight enthusiasts all gathered for what promised to be an extraordinary battle.
Reina stood in the preparation room, wearing her standard fighting outfit—black gi pants and crimson sports top, red hand wraps, bare feet. Her hair was pulled back in her signature high ponytail, crimson streaks visible like war paint. Her mother's pendant hung around her neck, tucked beneath her top, close to her heart.
She could feel the crowd's energy through the walls, the anticipation building like electricity in the air.
"Miss Hanma." Tokugawa entered, his aged face animated with excitement. "The crowd is unprecedented. We've never had this many people for a single fight. You and Retsu Kaioh have captured the imagination of the entire underground."
"No pressure then," Reina said with a wry smile.
"Oh, there's plenty of pressure. But I've seen you fight. You thrive under pressure." Tokugawa's expression grew more serious. "I should warn you—Retsu requested specific terms for this match. He wants it to be a pure test of martial arts. No weapons, no environmental advantages, no interference. Just technique against technique."
"Fine by me. I prefer it that way."
"Good. Also..." Tokugawa hesitated. "Your father is in attendance."
Reina's heart stopped. "What?"
"Yujiro Hanma arrived thirty minutes ago. He's in the VIP section, watching. He hasn't said anything, hasn't made any demands. He just... wants to watch you fight." Tokugawa's expression was grave. "I thought you should know."
Reina felt her blood run cold, then hot. Yujiro was here. The Ogre himself had come to watch her. This wasn't just a fight against Retsu anymore—it was an audition. A test to see if his daughter was worthy of the Hanma name.
"Thank you for telling me," she said, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside. "It doesn't change anything. I fight Retsu with everything I have. What Yujiro thinks... that's for later."
"Brave words. Let's see if you can back them up." Tokugawa gestured toward the door. "It's time. Show the world what the First Daughter of the Ogre can do."
Reina walked toward the arena entrance, her heart pounding but her mind clear. She'd trained for this. Prepared for this. And now, with Yujiro watching, she had to prove she was more than just his daughter—she was a warrior in her own right.
The announcer's voice boomed through the arena as she stepped out into the light:
"Ladies and gentlemen! Tonight's main event is a historic clash between two martial arts philosophies! In one corner, representing 4,000 years of Chinese martial arts mastery—the Sea King, the Dragon of the East, the embodiment of ancient wisdom—RETSU KAIOH!"
The crowd roared as Retsu entered from the opposite side. He wore traditional Chinese martial arts attire—loose silk pants and a sleeveless top that displayed his powerful, perfectly conditioned physique. His queue swayed as he walked, and his expression was serene, focused, carrying the calm confidence of absolute mastery.
"And in the other corner," the announcer continued, "the fighter who has shocked the underground world—the first female born with the demon blood, the daughter of the Strongest Creature on Earth—REINA HANMA!"
The crowd's noise reached a fever pitch. Reina walked to the center of the octagonal arena, her Absolute Beauty causing audible gasps even from spectators who had seen her before. Under the arena lights, she seemed almost otherworldly—impossibly beautiful, dangerously powerful, radiating an aura that made everyone watching understand they were witnessing something unprecedented.
She scanned the crowd, her Absolute Reflexes processing hundreds of faces in seconds. There—in the VIP section—she saw him.
Yujiro Hanma.
The Ogre sat alone in his private box, his massive frame relaxed, his red eyes fixed on her with laser focus. He wore an expensive suit that barely contained his muscular physique, and his face showed no emotion—just cold, analytical assessment.
Their eyes met across the distance.
For a moment, father and daughter stared at each other, two Hanmas meeting for the first time. Reina felt the weight of his presence, the overwhelming power that radiated from him even in stillness. This was the man who had defeated armies, who had never lost a fight, who was considered the apex predator of the human species.
Then Yujiro smiled—a small, predatory expression—and gestured slightly toward the arena floor. Show me what you can do.
Reina tore her gaze away and focused on her opponent. One challenge at a time.
Retsu stood calmly in the center of the arena, his hands at his sides, his breathing controlled and steady. Up close, Reina could see the deep intelligence in his eyes, the decades of training evident in every line of his body.
"Reina Hanma," Retsu said, his voice carrying a slight Chinese accent but perfectly clear. "I have heard much about you. The first female Hanma. A fighter who demonstrates Hokuto Shinken—a style I believed to be fictional—and Renewal Taekwondo, which I have never encountered. You intrigue me."
"Retsu Kaioh," Reina replied respectfully. "I've studied your fights, your techniques, your philosophy. You represent the pinnacle of Chinese Kenpo. It's an honor to face you."
"Honor." Retsu's expression softened slightly. "You speak of honor. That is good. Too many fighters today have forgotten what it means to be a true martial artist. They seek only victory, only dominance. But you... I sense something different in you."
"I fight to prove myself," Reina said honestly. "To show that the Hanma blood can produce more than monsters. That strength and honor aren't mutually exclusive."
"A noble goal. But nobility means nothing if you lack the power to back it up." Retsu shifted into a traditional Chinese Kenpo stance—relaxed but coiled, his hands positioned perfectly for both offense and defense. "I will test your resolve, your technique, and your spirit. Do not hold back, or you will die."
"I wouldn't dream of it." Reina took her hybrid stance, combining elements of Hokuto Shinken and Renewal Taekwondo, her body perfectly balanced, her eyes glowing with Hanma intensity.
Tokugawa raised his hand from the sidelines. "This match will continue until one fighter is unable to continue, submits, or is killed. There are no other rules. Fighters ready?"
Both nodded.
"BEGIN!"
Neither moved immediately. This was a chess game between masters, each studying the other, looking for openings, reading intent and capability.
Then Retsu moved first.
He glided forward with supernatural smoothness, his movement so fluid it seemed he was floating rather than walking. His opening strike was a classic Chinese Kenpo palm thrust—simple, direct, devastating.
Reina's Absolute Reflexes tracked it, but even in slow motion, she was impressed by its perfection. The technique was flawless, the power generation optimal, the targeting precise.
She deflected with a Hokuto Shinken redirect, her palm meeting his just off-center, sending his force past her shoulder. Simultaneously, she countered with a pressure point strike aimed at his elbow.
Retsu twisted, his experience allowing him to sense the danger even without seeing it directly. His elbow moved a fraction of an inch, and her strike missed the pressure point, hitting muscle instead.
"Impressive," Retsu said, spinning into a follow-up kick that came from an impossible angle. "Your pressure point knowledge is genuine. But you're inexperienced in applying it against a moving, skilled opponent."
Reina ducked the kick, feeling the wind of it pass over her head. She came up with a Renewal Taekwondo spinning kick, putting her full power behind it.
Retsu caught her leg mid-spin.
Not blocked—caught. His hand wrapped around her ankle with iron grip, and she felt the strength in his fingers. He was about to throw her, use her own momentum against her.
Instead, Reina activated her Demon Back.
The muscles in her back erupted, power flooding through her body. She twisted in midair, using Retsu's grip as an anchor point, and delivered a second kick with her free leg—a double kick that shouldn't have been physically possible.
This one connected.
Her heel crashed into Retsu's shoulder, and she felt the impact reverberate through both their bodies. Retsu was forced to release her leg and step back, his expression showing surprise for the first time.
"The Demon Back," he observed, rolling his shoulder to check for damage. "So the rumors are true. You truly are Hanma."
"Did you doubt it?" Reina landed gracefully, her back still swollen with demonic power.
"I entertained the possibility you were a talented pretender. But no pretender could generate that kind of power." Retsu's expression grew more serious, more focused. "Very well. I will respond in kind."
His muscles tensed, and Reina watched in fascination as his entire body seemed to condense, becoming denser, more compact. This was the Chinese Kenpo principle of maximum efficiency—every muscle fiber aligned for optimal power generation.
"Now," Retsu said, his voice carrying complete confidence, "I will show you four thousand years of Chinese martial arts evolution!"
-Philosophy Clash-
What followed was one of the most technically brilliant exchanges Reina had ever experienced.
Retsu demonstrated why he was considered one of the greatest martial artists alive. His Chinese Kenpo was a perfect synthesis of offense and defense, hard and soft, speed and power. Every movement served multiple purposes—a block that was also a strike, a dodge that positioned for a counter, a feint that tested her reactions.
He showed her the depth of his knowledge. Joint locks that flowed seamlessly into throws. Pressure point strikes aimed at debilitating her without killing. Footwork that was so precise he could fight effectively in a space no larger than a phone booth.
But Reina adapted.
Her Absolute Reflexes let her see his techniques coming, but more importantly, they let her learn. Every exchange taught her something new. Every near-miss refined her understanding. She began to predict not just his movements but his intent, just as Doppo had taught her.
She countered his Chinese Kenpo with her unique combination of styles. When he tried to grapple, she struck pressure points that loosened his grip. When he used redirects, she powered through with Hanma strength. When he tried to use her momentum against her, she adjusted mid-movement with reflexes he couldn't match.
The crowd watched in awed silence as two completely different martial arts philosophies clashed at the highest level.
"Your Hokuto Shinken is crude but effective," Retsu observed during a brief separation, both fighters breathing hard. "You understand the theory but lack the experience. Against a lesser opponent, this wouldn't matter. Against me—"
Reina interrupted by launching a combination that forced him to defend seriously. Hokuto Shinken strikes to three different pressure points, flowing into a Renewal Taekwondo kick sequence that came from multiple angles, ending with a Hanma-powered straight punch that cracked the concrete floor when Retsu dodged.
"Against you," Reina finished, "I'm learning faster than you can adapt. That's my advantage. I learn in combat faster than anyone you've ever faced."
Retsu's eyes widened with understanding. "I see. Your Absolute Reflexes aren't just for perception and reaction. They also accelerate your learning process. Every exchange teaches you more than it should. You're evolving mid-battle."
"Finally figured it out?" Reina smiled, her confidence growing. "I'm not just fighting you, Retsu Kaioh. I'm studying you. Every technique you show me, I analyze and incorporate. You're making me stronger with every exchange."
"Fascinating. And terrifying." Retsu's expression grew grave. "You're a natural predator, Reina Hanma. Not because of your strength, but because you can consume knowledge and convert it to power in real-time. If you live long enough, you'll become unstoppable."
"If?" Reina's eyes glowed brighter. "I plan to live a very long time."
"Then I must end this now, before you learn too much." Retsu shifted into a specific stance that Reina recognized from her research. It was the preparatory form for his ultimate technique.
"Sunkei," she breathed.
"You know of it. Good. Then you understand what's coming." Retsu's entire body tensed, his muscles coiling like springs, his breathing becoming sharp and controlled. "This is the pinnacle of Chinese Kenpo—a technique that generates a shockwave of such power it can destroy internal organs without direct contact. Distance means nothing. Defense means nothing. Only pure power against pure power."
Reina felt her Hanma instincts screaming danger. This was a kill shot. If it connected, even her superhuman durability might not save her.
But she also felt something else. Excitement. Challenge. The thrill of facing a technique that could actually threaten her life.
"Then I'll counter with my own ultimate technique," Reina declared. Her Demon Back swelled to its maximum, her muscles bulging with power. She combined her stance—Hokuto Shinken's precision, Renewal Taekwondo's explosive potential, Hanma's overwhelming strength.
She would create a technique on the spot, synthesizing everything she'd learned.
In the VIP section, Yujiro leaned forward slightly, his interest genuinely captured.
Around the arena, everyone held their breath.
Tokugawa gripped the railing, his heart pounding.
Baki watched from the crowd, his fists clenched.
Katsumi stood ready to intervene if necessary.
Doppo's single eye was wide with anticipation.
And in the arena, two masters prepared to unleash their ultimate techniques.
"SUNKEI!" Retsu roared, his body exploding forward with incredible speed. His motion created a visible shockwave in the air, a cone of compressed force aimed directly at Reina's center mass.
"HOKUTO HYAKURETSU SHINKEN!" Reina responded with her own creation—a combination of Hokuto Shinken's Hyakuretsu Ken (Hundred Crack Fist) enhanced with Renewal Taekwondo's energy control and Hanma's raw power.
Her hands became a blur, throwing not a hundred punches but two hundred, each one aimed at intersecting Retsu's shockwave. The pressure point strikes didn't target him directly—they targeted the air itself, creating micro-disruptions in the shockwave's structure.
The two techniques met in the center of the arena.
BOOM!
The resulting explosion was tremendous. A sphere of force erupted outward, cracking the concrete floor, sending dust and debris flying, causing spectators in the front rows to cover their faces.
When the dust settled, both fighters stood in the center of a massive crater, their clothes torn, their bodies battered, but both still standing.
Retsu coughed blood, his internal organs stressed by the clash of techniques. "Impossible... you disrupted my Sunkei... with pressure point strikes... on the shockwave itself..."
"You taught me," Reina gasped, her own body aching from the stress. "Every principle of Chinese Kenpo I saw tonight... I used them against you. That's what it means to be Hanma. We learn. We adapt. We evolve."
Retsu laughed—a genuine, joyful sound despite his pain. "Magnificent. You are everything I hoped you would be and more. You're not just strong, Reina Hanma. You're a true martial artist. You honor combat with your dedication and creativity."
He took a step forward, then his legs gave out. He fell to one knee, blood dripping from his mouth.
"I cannot continue," Retsu admitted, his voice carrying both disappointment and satisfaction. "You win, Reina Hanma. You have defeated four thousand years of Chinese Kenpo. Not through brute force, but through skill, innovation, and indomitable will."
The arena erupted in applause and cheers. Reina approached Retsu and offered her hand to help him up.
"Thank you," she said sincerely. "This fight taught me more than weeks of training ever could. You're an incredible martial artist, Retsu Kaioh. It was an honor."
Retsu took her hand and stood, wincing but smiling. "The honor was mine. You are the future of martial arts, Reina. Not bound by tradition, but enhanced by it. Not limited by style, but enriched by learning all styles. Continue your path. Become the warrior you're destined to be."
They bowed to each other, mutual respect evident in the gesture.
As medical personnel rushed to tend to both fighters, Reina's eyes drifted back to the VIP section.
Yujiro stood, preparing to leave. But before he did, he looked directly at her one final time.
Their eyes met again—father and daughter, Ogre and First Daughter.
Yujiro nodded once—a minimal gesture, but one that carried weight. Acknowledgment. Not pride, not approval, but recognition. She existed. She was strong. She was worthy of attention.
Then he was gone, vanishing into the shadows of the arena, leaving behind only questions and the promise of future confrontation.
Reina touched her mother's pendant, feeling its weight, its meaning.
I did it, Mother. I proved I'm Hanma. I proved I can be strong without being cruel. And I showed the Ogre that his daughter is worthy of the name.
-Aftermath and Revelation-
The medical room beneath the arena was busy with activity. Reina sat on an examination table while doctors checked her vitals, marveled at her rapid healing, and documented her injuries for the arena's records.
Her Hanma healing was already working. Bruises were fading, internal stress was repairing itself, and her energy was returning faster than should be medically possible.
"Remarkable," one doctor muttered. "Your recovery rate is faster than even Baki Hanma's. The female Hanma bloodline might actually produce even faster healing than the male line."
"Or maybe I'm just special," Reina said with a tired smile.
The door opened, and a stream of visitors entered. Baki came first, his expression showing genuine pride and excitement.
"Sister! That was incredible! The way you countered Sunkei—I've never seen anything like it!" He was practically bouncing with energy. "You didn't just beat Retsu, you innovated mid-battle! Created a new technique on the spot!"
"I had a good teacher," Reina said, nodding toward Doppo, who entered behind Baki.
The God of War approached with his characteristic stoic expression, but his single eye gleamed with approval. "You exceeded my expectations, Reina Hanma. What you did today—disrupting a shockwave with pressure point strikes—that's the kind of innovation that advances martial arts itself. You didn't just win. You created something new."
Katsumi entered next, carrying a medical ice pack. "For your ribs," he said, handing it to her with a smile. "Though knowing your healing factor, you probably don't need it."
"I appreciate the thought," Reina accepted the ice pack, their hands touching briefly, warmth passing between them.
Even Retsu appeared, now bandaged but walking under his own power. "Reina Hanma," he said formally. "I wanted to personally congratulate you. And to make a request."
"A request?"
"Train with me. Not as opponents, but as fellow martial artists. I want to learn from you, as you learned from me. Together, we could push martial arts to new heights." His expression was earnest. "Chinese Kenpo has much to teach you, and your innovative approach has much to teach me."
Reina felt warmth in her chest. This was more than just respect—it was genuine desire for mutual growth. "I accept. It would be an honor to train with you, Retsu Kaioh."
"Please, call me Retsu. We are friends now, not just rivals."
The door opened again, and everyone went silent.
Tokugawa entered, his expression grave. "Reina, there's someone outside who wants to speak with you. Alone."
Everyone immediately understood who it must be.
"Yujiro?" Baki asked, his body tensing.
"No. Not Yujiro." Tokugawa's expression was strange—confused and intrigued. "It's... a woman. She says she has information about your mother. About Ayumi Tanaka."
Reina's heart stopped. "My mother? But she's dead."
"This woman claims to have known her. To have information about her relationship with Yujiro and about your birth." Tokugawa paused. "She says it's urgent. That you need to know the truth before Yujiro makes his move."
Reina looked around at her friends and family—Baki's concerned expression, Doppo's protective stance, Katsumi's supportive presence, Retsu's curiosity.
"I need to hear this," she said finally. "Alone."
"Are you sure?" Baki asked. "This could be a trap."
"My Absolute Reflexes will warn me if there's danger. And my Demon Back will protect me if necessary." Reina stood, ignoring her protesting muscles. "Whatever this woman knows about my mother, I need to hear it."
She followed Tokugawa out of the medical room and down a quiet corridor to a private meeting room. Outside the door, Tokugawa paused.
"I don't know who this woman is or how she got into the arena. But Reina... be careful. The truth about your birth might be more complicated than you think."
"I understand."
Tokugawa opened the door, and Reina entered alone.
The woman waiting inside was striking. She appeared to be in her late forties, with elegant features and dark hair streaked with silver. She wore an expensive business suit, and her posture spoke of both grace and hidden strength.
But it was her eyes that caught Reina's attention. They were amber-gold—not as intense as Hanma eyes, but carrying the same undertones.
"Reina Hanma," the woman said, her voice cultured and controlled. "Thank you for meeting with me. My name is Akane Tanaka. I'm your mother's older sister. Your aunt."
Reina felt the world tilt slightly. "My aunt? But Grandmother never mentioned—"
"Hanako doesn't know I exist. Not really. I left the family twenty years ago, before Ayumi ever met Yujiro." Akane's expression grew pained. "I left to protect them. To protect everyone from the truth."
"What truth?"
Akane took a deep breath. "Reina... your mother's encounter with Yujiro wasn't an accident. It wasn't random. It was arranged. By me."
The words hung in the air like a death sentence.
"What?" Reina's voice was deadly quiet.
"I worked as a coordinator for underground fights. I arranged matches, recruited fighters, connected sponsors with talent. Twenty years ago, I made a deal with Yujiro Hanma. He wanted... companionship. Someone intelligent, beautiful, gentle. Someone who could potentially carry strong offspring."
Akane's hands trembled as she continued. "I introduced him to my sister, Ayumi. I told her he was a successful businessman, not a monster. I facilitated their meeting. And when she became pregnant with you..."
"You knew," Reina finished, her voice cold. "You knew she was pregnant with the Ogre's child."
"Yes. And I knew it would kill her. The Hanma bloodline is too powerful. A normal woman's body can't handle bearing a true Hanma child. The pregnancy itself is lethal." Tears rolled down Akane's cheeks. "I killed my own sister for money and ambition. And I've lived with that guilt for sixteen years."
Reina felt rage building inside her, the Demon Back stirring. "Why are you telling me this now?"
"Because Yujiro is planning to meet you. Soon. And when he does, he might tell you his own version of this story—one where he's blameless, where your mother was just another woman who couldn't handle his power. I needed you to know the truth. That your mother was a victim. That she was used by both me and Yujiro. That her death wasn't natural—it was the inevitable result of bearing the Ogre's child."
Akane stepped closer, her expression desperate. "And I needed to warn you. Yujiro is interested in you, Reina. Really interested. Not as a daughter, but as a potential... successor. He's thinking about what it means that a female Hanma was born. What it could mean for his legacy."
"What are you suggesting?"
"I'm saying that Yujiro sees you as an experiment. A test. He wants to see how strong a female Hanma can become. And depending on the answer..." Akane's voice dropped to a whisper. "He might try to ensure there are more female Hanmas. Through you."
The implication was clear and horrifying.
Reina felt sick. Her father—the Ogre—might be planning to use her for breeding strong offspring. To create a new generation of Hanmas through her bloodline.
"Get out," Reina said quietly.
"Reina, I know you're angry, but you need to understand—"
"Get out!" The Demon Back erupted fully, Reina's presence exploding outward with such force that Akane was physically pushed backward. "You used my mother. You facilitated her death. And now you come here with warnings about Yujiro's intentions? You want forgiveness? Gratitude?"
"I want you to survive," Akane said, tears streaming down her face. "Your mother's last words were about you. She said 'Let my daughter be free. Don't let her be used like I was.' That's why Hanako hid you. Why I stayed away. To give you a chance at freedom."
"Then give me freedom now. Leave. Disappear. And pray we never meet again, because if we do, I might not be able to control the demon inside me."
Akane nodded slowly, understanding she was being granted mercy she didn't deserve. She moved toward the door, then paused.
"Your mother loved you, Reina. More than anything. She chose to give you life knowing it would cost her own. Don't let that sacrifice be meaningless. Be strong, but be free. Don't let Yujiro or anyone else turn you into a tool."
Then she was gone, leaving Reina alone in the empty room.
Reina's Demon Back slowly receded as she processed everything she'd learned. Her mother's death wasn't just tragic—it was orchestrated. Facilitated by her own sister for money and status.
And Yujiro... he hadn't just randomly encountered her mother. He'd specifically requested someone like her. Someone who might bear strong offspring.
Which meant Reina's existence wasn't an accident. She was the result of deliberate planning. A breeding experiment that happened to produce the first female Hanma.
She touched her mother's pendant, feeling its weight differently now. This wasn't just a symbol of hope—it was a symbol of sacrifice. Of a woman who knew she would die but chose to give life anyway.
I won't be used, Reina vowed silently. Not by Yujiro. Not by anyone. I'll become strong on my own terms, love on my own terms, live on my own terms. And when I finally face Yujiro, it won't be as his daughter or his experiment—it will be as Reina Hanma, warrior and free woman.
She left the room and returned to her friends, her expression composed despite the turmoil inside.
"Everything okay?" Baki asked immediately, sensing something was wrong.
"No," Reina admitted. "But it will be. I just learned some hard truths about my past. About my mother. But it doesn't change who I am or what I'm going to become."
She looked around at everyone gathered—Baki, Doppo, Katsumi, Retsu. Her family, chosen and blood. Her teachers and friends. The beginning of something greater.
"Thank you," she said to all of them. "For accepting me. For training me. For being here. I'm going to need all of you for what's coming next."
"What is coming next?" Katsumi asked.
Reina's eyes glowed with determination. "Yujiro knows about me now. He's watching, planning, waiting. So I need to get stronger. Much stronger. Strong enough that when we finally meet, I can stand as his equal—not his victim, not his experiment, not his tool. His equal."
"Then we train," Doppo said simply. "Starting tomorrow. All of us. We'll make you into a warrior even the Ogre has to respect."
"And after that?" Retsu asked.
Reina smiled, remembering Existence's promise. "After that? The multiverse awaits. But first, I conquer this world. One fighter at a time."
The First Daughter of the Ogre had won her first true test. But the real journey was only beginning.
-To Be Continued...-
Next Chapter: The Ogre's Move - Yujiro finally decides to meet his daughter face-to-face. The encounter will test everything Reina has learned and force her to confront the monster who sired her. Meanwhile, mysterious forces begin to take interest in the female Hanma, and Reina receives her first hint about accessing other dimensions...