"Jusenkyō? The legendary training ground for martial artists?"
Shin tilted his head as memories surfaced of an old manga he had read long ago.
Ranma ½—though he had only known it as Seven Smiling Fist back then. At the time, he had assumed it referred to seven main characters who had fallen into the cursed springs, unaware that the translation was a misinterpretation. He only later discovered the true title and premise.
[T/N: Ranma 1/2 is a classic manga series that was serialized from 1987 to 1996. An anime adaptation was created in 1989, and a second anime adaptation based on the manga was released in 2024.]
The combat strength in this world was average at best. The most skilled martial artists were likely comparable to a standard Jonin or a Marine Colonel. However, the true intrigue lay in its bizarre supernatural elements.
Of course, what interested Shin the most was the very thing that started it all—the Cursed Springs of Jusenkyō.
The infamous springs were said to carry powerful curses. According to the caretaker's explanation, each spring contained the spirit of a creature that had drowned there: women, wild boars, cats, pandas, and even ducks. Some descriptions were outright ridiculous—like the Spirit of Drowned Yeti-riding-Bull-carrying-Crane-and-Eel.
[T/N: I found this outrageous spirit name on the Ranma Wiki.]
However, the final truth behind the springs was far more bizarre. The so-called "curses" were not supernatural hexes but rather a replication ability. Each spring contained a perfect genetic imprint of the first being to fall in, and anyone who fell in later would assume that form upon contact with cold water. Only exposure to hot water could return them to normal.
[T/N: This summary reflects the main character's understanding based on his memories, so it may not be canon at all.]
A seemingly comedic premise, yet when analyzed scientifically, a truly terrifying phenomenon.
Upon arriving at Jusenkyō.
"Sir, are you here to train at Jusenkyō?"
A voice broke Shin's train of thought. He turned to see an elderly man approaching him, wearing a green coat and hat, with a red star emblem and a thermos in hand.
Shin resisted the urge to chuckle. What exactly was Rumiko Takahashi's impression of Chinese people? This man looked like an old laborer straight out of the 1970s.
[T/N: Rumiko Takahashi is the creator of the Ranma 1/2 manga.]
"Yes, I came to observe the springs," Shin replied casually.
The old caretaker nodded. "Entrance fee, five yuan."
Shin was momentarily speechless. He had plenty of gold and valuables but no Chinese currency. Paying in gold would likely cause more problems than it solved.
So...
"Genjutsu: Rinnegan!"
The caretaker's eyes clouded over as Shin's genjutsu took hold.
"This is the legendary Spring of Drowned Man!" the old man suddenly declared. "Long ago, a poor traveler drowned here. Whoever falls in will become a man!"
"Universal Pull - Primal Void!"
"This is the legendary Spring of Drowned Girl! A tragic maiden once drowned here—"
"Universal Pull - Primal Void!"
"This is the legendary Spring of Drowned Duck! A poor duck once—"
Shin rolled his eyes. "A duck? Seriously?"
"Oh, that's nothing! We also have Frog Spring, Cat Spring, and even Black Piglet Spring!" the mesmerized caretaker continued proudly.
Forget it, Shin thought. He didn't need an explanation.
One by one, he absorbed all of the cursed springs into his Dark Dimension, carefully marking each one for later study.
By the time he finished, the formerly picturesque training ground looked more like a crater-ridden battlefield.
The origin of these springs supposedly lay in the withered statues of two mysterious beasts. However, the site was guarded by a local tribe. Not wanting to cause unnecessary destruction, Shin left the source intact, choosing instead to leave behind a gift.
Channeling Yang Chakra, he healed the caretaker's ailments and prolonged his lifespan, considering it a fair trade for the spring water.
As Shin flew off into the sky, the old man slowly came to his senses.
"Ohh… I feel great! My body feels like it's twenty years younger—wait! Where are my springs?!"
At the Tendo Dojo.
"So this is where the main story takes place? Took me long enough to find it."
Standing before him was the Tendo Dojo, the heart of Ranma ½'s plotline. Finding it had been no easy feat—especially since he had been forced to track down Genma Saotome, a literal giant panda roaming around Japan.
Before Shin could enter, a sudden whoosh cut through the air.
A young martial artist with a braided ponytail leaped over the gate, landing skillfully on the outer wall.
"Time to get out of here!"
Shin smirked. "Universal Pull!"
The moment he stretched out his hand, the youth was yanked mid-air toward him.
Before Ranma could react, a sharp voice called out from the dojo.
"Who are you?! Let go of Ranma!"
Ignoring the girl, Shin held Ranma effortlessly in his grip. "So, you're Saotome Ranma?"
Ranma gritted his teeth. "Yeah, what about it?! Wait—did my old man scam you too?!" He struggled but couldn't break free. "Damn it! What do you want?!"
Shin chuckled. "Nothing much. Just this."
He produced a water balloon and splashed it over Ranma's head.
Ranma flinched. "Cold water?! Damn it! I—"
But nothing happened.
Ranma blinked. Then patted his chest.
"Wait... I didn't turn into a girl?! What the hell?!"
Shin checked his system logs, confirming his theory. Yep, that should completely rewrite the story.
The entire premise of Ranma ½ revolved around Ranma's involuntary gender transformation. His engagement, his adventures, his attempts to find a cure—it all depended on his curse.
Now? That plotline was gone.
To make matters worse, Shin had already stolen Jusenkyō's cursed springs. Without them, even the final arc of the story had been erased.
The main antagonist? Gone.
The series-long conflict? Gone.
Shin smirked. "Well… that was easy."
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