Daru: (In pain, spitting blood) Aughhhhh…
Akira: Holy shit! He went through the other side of the castle!
Ohma: Guys… he's gone.
The group scans the room, realizing Rito is missing.
Kono: Where did he go!?
Daru struggles to rise, spitting blood as he notices two feet in front of him.
Daru: (Sighs) Great…
He looks up to see Rito staring down at him.
Akira: He's down there! (pointing) With Drau!
Zodiac: How'd he get down there so fast?
Gram: Well, let's move!
Everyone begins running toward the battleground outside as Daru gets punched in the face, slamming his back against a rock.
Daru: Aughhhh!
Daru rises from the ground.
Daru: I get it, okay! You told me not to leave, and I left!
Rito remains silent, slowly approaching him.
Daru: Fine, I said I was sorry, but I guess that's not the kind of apology you want.
Daru charges at Rito, throwing a punch, but Rito dodges. As Daru attempts a kick, he grabs Rito's leg.
Daru: AHHH!
Daru spins Rito in a circle twice, but just as he's about to release him, Rito begins spinning and executes a tornado kick, driving Daru into the ground and creating a dent. Daru spits out more blood as Rito kicks him in the face, sending him sliding across the floor, leaving a trail behind.
Kono: Daru's getting wrecked!
Zodiac: I'm surprised to see Daru like this… unable to do anything against him.
Ohma glances to his side and sees Hanzo.
Ohma: Hanzo?
Monk Hanzo: Yes?
Ohma: Is this allowed?
Hanzo: (Laughs) Of course not! But no one's going to stop Rito.
Himitsu: Why?
Hanzo: Simple. Rito is the strongest among us.
Akira: What!?
Rito grabs Daru by the head and delivers four punches to his face, causing blood to spill from his mouth and drip from his nose.
Ohma: I can't take this anymore!
Ohma charges onto the battleground toward Rito and Daru.
Gram: Ohma! Where are you going!?
Kono: Come on, everyone!
Zodiac: Ugh! This is so annoying! I was enjoying watching him get beat up.
Everyone pursues Ohma. Daru throws a punch as Rito dodges and forces Daru's head into the ground.
Daru: Ughhhh!
Ohma: Let go of him!
Rito glances at Ohma, a hint of fear in his eyes.
Daru: Oh—Ohma, get out of here!
Ohma: No! I won't just stand by and watch you get hurt anymore!
Rito releases Daru, who stands up. Ohma positions himself in front of Daru.
Ohma: If you want him, you'll have to go through me.
Gram and the others finally catch up to Ohma and Daru. Rito regards them warily.
Daru: Ohma… you need to move.
Ohma: Move?
Daru: It's alright! I can handle this! This is my fight.
Ohma: Are you sure?
Daru: Yes, now move!
Ohma steps aside, joining the others a few feet back. Rito looks at Daru.
Daru: You want a fight? You've got one!
Daru activates his powers, his hair turning purple, with his veins and eyes following suit. Rito smirks and advances. Daru steps forward, cracking his neck and knuckles.
Daru: Now, let's see how much damage I can take!
As they close the distance, Daru and Rito lock eyes for a few tense seconds. Hanzo walks alongside Zodiac and the others.
Zodiac: Are they going to fight yet?
Monk Hanzo: No, the fight has already begun.
Gram: How have they not thrown a punch yet?
Monk Hanzo: Fighting isn't solely about punches and kicks. They are assessing each other, determining their initial move… Rito essentially taught Daru everything he knows.
Rito suddenly attempts a leg sweep. Daru jumps, turns his fist purple, and swings. Rito dodges, causing Daru to create a massive dent in the ground, leaving Rito momentarily stunned.
Rito: Hmm.
Daru rushes at Rito, throwing punches as Rito begins to evade. Rito grabs Daru's arm, elbows him in the face, and flips him. Just as Daru is about to hit the ground, he lands on his feet and lifts Rito off the ground. While Rito is airborne, he wraps his legs around Daru's head and flips him. Rito charges forward, launching punches and kicks, but Daru starts to dodge and counters with his own attacks.
Himitsu: This fight is insane!
Ohma: I can barely keep up with what's happening!
Daru manages to land a punch, striking Rito in the face and sending him sliding back a few feet.
Zodiac: All this fighting, and he only landed one punch.
Daru begins to breathe heavily while Rito remains perfectly composed. Rito straightens up and rushes at Daru with remarkable speed.
Daru: (to himself) Here it comes!
As Rito throws a punch, Daru prepares to deflect it, but Rito swiftly changes his stance and executes a leg sweep.
Daru: WH-!
Rito trips Daru, seizes him, and throws him against the wall, unleashing a barrage of punches and kicks that Daru cannot react to in time. Rito then grips Daru by the neck and pins him against the wall, lifting him off the ground as he chokes him, causing his hair, veins, and eyes to fade.
Daru: (Choking) AGHH!!
Rito: (Smirking) I gotta say, Daru… you've gotten a lot stronger. (Laughs)
Rito releases Daru, who collapses to his feet.
Daru: (Holding his neck) And you're still the worst teacher.
Rito embraces Daru.
Daru: You know I don't like hugs.
Rito: Oh, I know that; that's why I'm doing it.
Monk Hanzo: There you have it! The fight is over.
Gram emerges from behind Hanzo.
Gram: MAN! That was intense!
Kono: You barely watched the fight! You were hiding behind Hanzo.
Gram: Not the whole time; I saw most of it!
Akira: (Sighs) I can't with you!
Zenshi strides onto the battleground, visibly upset.
Zenshi: RITO! RITO!!!
Rito and Daru glance over to see Zenshi approaching.
Rito: Ah great, here we go again.
Daru: Now this feels like home.
Rito: (Laughs) I know, right!
Zenshi smacks Rito on the head.
Rito: Ouch!
Himitsu: He said "ouch" to that, but not a punch by Daru?
Monk Hanzo: A hit from a woman always stings.
Gram: Yeah, it always does, but it feels like love.
Kono: What are you even talking about?
Zenshi: Daru just came back! And this is how you treat him?
Rito: What? I had to see if he was still training and on his feet!
Zenshi takes a deep breath and looks at Daru.
Zenshi: Are you alright, Daru?
Daru: Yes, I'm fine; I've mostly healed up already.
Rito: Wow! Already? That's faster than last time!
Daru: Yeah, I've been through a lot while you were gone.
Zenshi: Well, I'm glad you feel better.
Zenshi strikes Daru on the back of the head.
Daru: Ouch! What was that for?
Zenshi: That was for leaving without telling us!
Daru: (Sighs) Right… I'm sorry. I just wanted to find him, and I haven't given up!
Zenshi: (Eyes watering) Oh, Daru. We were so worried!
Daru: I know, I know. I'm really sorry.
Zenshi: I know you are.
Zenshi embraces Daru.
Daru: I don't like hugs anymore, Zenshi.
Zenshi: Oh, shut up and hug me!
Daru returns the hug to Zenshi.
Rito: So, Daru.
Daru releases Zenshi from the hug.
Daru: Yes?
Rito: Who are your friends?
Daru: Oh, right.
Rito, Zenshi, and Daru approach his crew.
Daru: Everyone, this is Rito, my teacher—the one who taught me everything.
Ohma: (Smiling) It's a pleasure to meet you!
Rito: He's so small! (Laughs)
Ohma: (Laughs) And you are very tall!
Rito chuckles.
Himitsu: Hi, I'm Himitsu! I've heard a lot about you! Daru really wanted to find you guys!
Rito: Well, we did too! That's why I sent Haruka to get you.
Daru: This is Akira.
Akira: Hi…
Rito: You look like an asshole.
Akira becomes agitated, a fiery aura surrounding her.
Akira: What the hell did you say!?
Rito: Ooh! A fiery asshole!
Daru: Alright, next is Kono.
Kono: Hi! I'm Kono. Well, he already said it, but it's nice to finally meet Daru's teacher!
Rito: Hi, Kono! Nice to meet you too!
Daru: And… well.
Gram: RITO!!!
Gram rushes to Rito and embraces him.
Rito: (Smiling and laughing) Gram! HOW HAVE YOU BEEN, BUDDY!
Gram: I missed you so much! You've got to help me, man!
Rito: Help you with what?
Gram: (Whispers) With these people! They're all weird and annoying!
Himitsu: You know we can hear you, right?
Gram: Whaaat… No, I was just saying that you guys are the best and that I would love to stay longer with this crew of ours.
Himitsu: Mhmm… sure you did.
Rito: Well, it's wonderful to see you, buddy. I missed you, man. (Chuckles) Especially when you're screaming and running away from fights all the time.
Gram: Ahh! You're just like everyone else! I only do it for cardio, and I scream to warm up my singing voice!
Rito: That's the Gram I know and love.
Gram: Well, I don't love you anymore.
Rito: Aww, come on, Gram.
Gram: Nope!
Rito: Come on!
Gram: Nope!
Rito: I can introduce you to some girls?
Gram's eyes light up.
Gram: Apology accepted.
Rito: That's my boy!
Daru: And last but not least, this is Zodiac.
Zodiac: Yeah, hi. Can I get something to drink? It's hot out here.
Rito closely observes Zodiac and notices the tattoo on his neck, reminiscent of Daru's.
Rito: Wh- is he your br-
Daru: Brother… Yes, sadly.
Zodiac: Sadly! I'm sad that you're my brother!
Daru: Oh shut it!
Zodiac: Make me, you ugly ogre!
Rito: Yeah, they're definitely brothers.
Zenshi: So he really found his brother.
Rito: I guess so.
Daru and Zodiac are engaged in a heated exchange.
Rito: Okay, okay, break it up, you two.
Daru and Zodiac cease their argument, cross their arms, and turn their backs to one another. Rito approaches Zodiac.
Zodiac: What the hell are you looking at?
Rito places his hand on Zodiac's chest.
Zodiac: What are you doing?
Rito swiftly closes his fist and punches Zodiac.
Zodiac: Ughhh!!!
Everyone gasps as he is sent flying into a rock.
Gram: What the heck, Rito! Why'd you do that?
Rito: I wanted to see if he was as durable as Daru.
Gram facepalms. Zodiac rises, bloodied from the head and clutching his chest.
Zodiac: You do that again, and I'm taking your head off.
Rito: (laughing) I love your brother! Alright, who's ready to eat!?
Gram, Himitsu, and Ohma: ME!
Akira: I could eat.
Daru: Yeah, me too.
Zodiac remains silent, fixated on Rito.
Rito: Okay, let's go.
Everyone proceeds into the castle to the dinning room, gathering at the main table to eat and laugh, while Zodiac continues to observe Rito.
Monk Hanzo: So, Zodiac and Daru.
Zodiac and Daru turn to face Hanzo.
Monk Hanzo: I noticed Daru has bright purple hair, and Zodiac has that symbol on his neck. That must mean you're Zatarians.
Zodiac: You know about the Zatarians?
Monk Hanzo: Yes, of course. I knew your grandfather quite well.
Zodiac and Daru exchange astonished glances.
Zodiac: You do?
Monk Hanzo: Yes, he was a good friend of mine who died in battle.
Daru: He died in battle!?
Monk Hanzo: Yes, indeed! He was an extraordinary warrior—fearless, yet he remained somewhat reserved with me. He came to my aid during a challenging situation when my fellow monks and I were losing a battle. Heroma and his people intervened, and I was profoundly grateful; from that moment onward, we formed a friendship. I vowed to assist him if he ever required help. Unfortunately, he passed away, and my people and I traveled to bid him farewell.
Gram: Bid farewell?
Monk Hanzo: Yes, in Zataria.
Kono: Zataria? What's that?
Monk Hanzo: It is the planet from which Daru and Zodiac originate.
Daru: Wait, that's where we're from!?
Zodiac: Zataria… can we get there?
Monk Hanzo: I wish I could say yes, but I have no idea where it is.
Himitsu: You have no idea where it is?
Monk Hanzo: You may not know this, but the Zatarians are considered a myth.
Akira: A myth?
Ohma: Doesn't that mean it's a made-up story?
Monk Hanzo: Essentially, yes. Your people were nomadic, constantly relocating to avoid disturbances; their desire was simply to live in peace. Whenever they were noticed, they would move again.
Gram: How could they possibly move a planet!?
Monk Hanzo: It was only one individual who accomplished that, though I never had the opportunity to meet him. I only knew your grandfather, and I met your father once during the Prisma War.
Daru: That's right! Rito did say you guys fought in the Prisma War. Wait… Rito.
Rito: (Eating) Hmm…
Daru: How did you know about the war?
Rito: Oh, because Hanzo told me, and I was in the war.
Daru's crew appears shocked.
Daru: WHAT! YOU FOUGHT IN THE WAR!
Rito: Yes, didn't I tell you that?
Daru: No, you didn't!
Rito: (Laughs) Oh, my bad! When the war broke out, Hanzo woke me up and said they needed my help. I didn't want to go, but I had to.
Gram begins to ponder deeply.
Akira: I would say Daru and Zodiac are dumb and dumber, but it sounds like you're the dumbest one here.
Rito: (Laughs) Well played!
Ohma: Yeah, Akira, good one (smiles).
Daru: So you fought in the war this whole time, and you knew my dad and uncles!
Rito: No, no, I didn't know them at all; I only saw them.
Monk Hanzo: Once again, the Zatarians kept to themselves and barely spoke.
Gram: I have a question.
Kono: Great, it's about girls, isn't it?
Gram: No! It's not!
Monk Hanzo: What is it?
Gram: So you said the Zatarians were aided by vampires?
Monk Hanzo: Yes.
Gram: So that means… you guys ARE VAMPIRES!!
Monk Hanzo: Yes, we are.
Everyone is surprised as Gram recalls what the girl he spoke to said—that he would make a good drink.
Gram: (Scared) So that girl actually wanted to drink my blood!
Monk Hanzo: We are not that kind of vampires.
Gram: Yes, but you still suck blood and bite people!
Rito: You watch too many movies. We don't eat or bite people like that. We have fangs, but we don't drink blood, and yes, before you ask, we can go out in sunlight.
Daru: Wow… I never knew any of this.
Zodiac: Quite the teacher you have.
Monk Hanzo: As I was saying, when your grandfather died, he told Shakiro to call us if he ever needed help. When the Prisma War happened, he called us, and we assisted.
Zodiac: Did you see our father die?
Monk Hanzo: Yes… I did… your father fought against the strongest Nitharian… Naburo.
Kono: Naburo?
Monk Hanzo: Yes, Naburo, the most demonic Nitharian. He is consumed by rage, and he was the one who killed your father and your uncles.
Daru: Is he still alive?
Rito: Yes, he is, because his son, Akuma, is still alive.
Akira: There are so many names!
Rito: Akuma is the one who sent his people to destroy our village.
Gram: He did!? That bastard! When I get my hands on him, I'll kill him!
Rito: But Naburo is the one who sent Akuma to find you. Naburo wants both of you. I don't know why but regardless, you can't let him capture you.
Zodiac: I'll kill him before he gets to me.
Rito: Zodiac, don't fight him. His power is on a different level. That's why he sent his son to do his bidding; I'm sure that's him being merciful.
Monk Hanzo: Your father was a good man. I may not have known him well, but the look in his eyes was pure of heart.
Gram: I'm still confused about something.
Rito: What is it?
Gram: Rito, were you born here?
Rito: Yes, I was. My mother died giving birth, and my father died in battle.
Monk Hanzo: Rito is the strongest among us, with unparalleled strength. Although he often appears lazy and indifferent, on the battlefield, he is formidable. He has traveled across dimensions, participated in tournaments, and spent 24 years on his journey, returning home with Zenshi after the village was attacked.
Gram: Rito, were you there when the village was attacked!?
Rito: Yes, but luckily, I performed a blood ritual teleportation circle that allow you to teleport back on this planet. When Zenshi and I were ambushed by the Nitharians, I used it to escape with her.
Gram: Wow! I can't believe you went through all of that.
Rito: Yeah, we've faced a lot while you guys were away.
Monk Hanzo: Well, that's enough chit-chat for today.
Hanzo calls on his monks.
Monk Hanzo: Please take these people to their rooms.
Akira: Rooms? We're staying here?
Rito: Yes, training begins tomorrow.
Zodiac: My days are ruined once again.
Gram: I knew it was a trap!
Rito: Make sure you get some good rest; you'll need it for tomorrow.
Everyone rises and follows the monk to their rooms.
Monk Hanzo: Training, really?
Rito: Yeah, why not? Also, where's the beer?
Monk Hanzo: (Sighs) Top right shelf.
Rito: (Smiles) You're the best, Hanzo!
Monk Hanzo: He still hasn't gotten over it.
As everyone reaches their rooms, they notice the decor—red and white with touches of black—very appealing and comfortable, with each individual having their own space.
Gram: THIS IS AMAZING!
Ohma: (Smiles) I actually have a bed!
Akira: At least it doesn't smell bad.
Kono: This is lovely, wow!
Zodiac: Finally, I can rest.
Himitsu looked at the fish tank, where the fish were red.
Himitsu: Are these vampire fish?
Daru: (Talking to himself) I'm glad I found you, Rito and Zenshi.