Shikōki Docks—-
The group all made their way to the docks, where Zaria had to be essentially dragged by Rika.
"Ugh…can we ditch these heels yet, Sōshin?"
"Nope! While on the island, you have to follow dress code!"
"You gotta be kidding me—-!"
Rei pointed to a line of speedboats in front of the dock. "Hey! Looks like we've arrived just in time!"
A man standing beside the boats stopped them. "What are you doing here, Sōshin?"
"We're here to race, Mr. Hakuryū!" Sōshin explained.
"After being gone so long you wish to thrust yourself in a deadly race?"
"Wait, wait," Rika paused. "*Deadly* race?"
"But of course. Did you think that this was some simple jet ski trip? No, no. Hydro-Sharks, Krakens, Torrent-Piranhas, you'd best be prepared for the race of your life."
Rika leaned over to Zaria. "Ahem, Zaria, I'd like to reconsider."
"Nah, nah, you chose this, missy."
"But I wanna take it back!"
Sōshin looked at the boats. "Mr. Hakuryū, are we allowed to join?"
"Sure. Did you bring a vehicle?"
"Nope!"
"What foolishness, didn't your parents teach you better than that?"
Zaria scratched her head. "Erm, you gonna let us borrow one, or—-?"
"No."
"Then how are we gonna race?"
"Find a vessel soon. Bring it here in five minutes, or the race will start without you."
Zaria pulled the others into a huddle. "So, anyone got a Plan B?"
"Didn't you say YOU were in charge?" Rika scoffed.
"Yeah, but this crap is new to me! So any advice would be greatly appreciated!"
Rei looked over at the other boats. "It seems some have smaller boats for speed, and others have larger boats for power! Ooh, which one should we go for?"
Zaria looked over to Sōshin. "Hey, kiddo, do you have any powers that can spawn a boat from thin air?"
Sōshin shook his head. "Nope! Only existing material!"
"What if we find something that you can use?" Rika proposed. "Like you did with that cargo!"
"Great idea, Big Sis Rika!"
Zaria sized them up. "You two need to stop that, like NOW."
"What?" Rika questioned. "We're bonding!"
Rei wrapped her arms around them. "I wanna bond too!"
Han shook his head, pointing off to the side. "How about you all stop fooling around? There's a pile of scrap right there we can use."
Han pointed over to a large rusty ship, as big as a yacht, which was being cleaned by a group of workers.
"Nice going, Han!" Zaria replied. "Maybe we can fix that up!"
Zaria walked over to the workers. "Yo, can we borrow this?"
One of them stopped, lifting his helmet. "You want…to borrow this hunk of junk?"
Zaria nodded. "Sure do! We'll try to bring it back in one piece."
"I'm sorry, we can't allow—-!"
Sōshin stepped forward, waving. "Hey, friends! Can we use this?"
"Oh—Sōshin! Ah. Alright, I guess we could make an exception. Go ahead!"
"Thanks!"
"Now comes the matter of getting this thing to the docks," Rika noted. "How are we—-?"
Zaria kicked the ship with a powerful back kick, sending it flying into the water. Rika shook her head. "Why are you so reckless?"
"Hey, it got the job done."
Han hopped onto the deck of the ship. "Whatever you guys are going to do, just hurry up and do it."
Sōshin climbed aboard and rubbed his hands together. "Don't worry, Friend Han! This boat will be faster than a dolphin!"
"Uh-huh."
Sōshin rubbed his hands together. "Jugen-Sōunsha: Densō—Dai-san Giyā!"
The hull began to shake, and sure enough, it formed two thrusters at the back. Sōshin touched it. "Now, to grant myself full control! Jugen-Sōunsha: Jiritsu Sharyō Henkei!"
〈*User* Linked.〉
Sōshin waved over to the girls. "Come on, friends!"
Rika, Zaria, and Rei climbed onto the deck, and Hakuryū stopped them. "Ah. Seems you've found…something. Funny you let the eleven-year-old drive."
"Well, he's kinda the only one who can," Zaria admitted.
"Tsk. Well. I shall be joining you."
"Wait, what?"
"As your race inspector. I will judge and rate your performance. If my rating drops below B-, you've failed. That means this ride must be smooth, minimal danger shall come to me, and I'd better not see any rule-breaking."
"Dude," Zaria moaned. "So you're what, like those driver test jerks?"
He climbed aboard. "If that's what you call it. Best drive with precision, Sōshin. Even if you get a passing grade from me, you still have a race to win."
"I will!"
An announcer spoke into a microphone. "The race will begin in one minute!"
"I will be at the bridge," Hakuryū remarked. "I advise you all to join me."
They followed him onto the bridge, where six seats were. Sōshin got into the driver's seat as Rika put her hands on his shoulders. "Be careful, okay? This thing's very delicate, don't let a shark bite it, or crash into a rock!"
Zaria wrapped her arm around him. "Ignore her! Drive this thing fast, mkay?"
"Okay, Friend Zaria!"
"Zaria!" Rika exclaimed.
"Just win," Han muttered. "Nothing more, nothing less."
The announcer's voice echoed through the docks. "The race will begin in five…four…three…two…one…"
And with a loud horn, everyone began to speed off.
"RACE!"
"Jugen-Sōunsha: Densō—Dai-ni Giyā!"
The boat took off, and Sōshin began to stand up, using his hand to steer the vehicle. Zaria shook him by the shoulders. "Faster, Sōshin! We're in last place!"
"Okay!"
He brought his arm down, and the boat kicked into overdrive, sending everyone flying out of their seats. Hakuryū took notes on a clipboard. "That's 5 points off for reckless acceleration. 95/100. A+, still."
"Oh, that's our bad!" Zaria shouted back. "Sorry, uh, be fast and careful!"
"Okay!"
A speedboat bumped into them, causing them to drift off and Hakuryū to stumble. "Lost control of the boat. Another 3 points off. 92/100. Still an A+ for now."
"How can you deduct us for that?" Zaria questioned. "That jackass hit us!"
"Talking back. Another 3 points. Now an A. 89/100."
"Wha—-?"
Rika gave her a nudge. "Bestie, just don't."
Sōshin realigned the boat and swiped up his arm, keeping the boat from hitting the speedboat. Han and Rei both watched as a shark quickly scooped the boat and dragged it underwater.
"Huh," Han remarked. "They weren't kidding about the danger."
"Did that shark just EAT a racer?" Rika gasped. "What kind of event are you people running?"
"That's not even the half of it!" Sōshin giggled. "Wait till you see the kraken!"
"Oh, so help me——!"
Sōshin drove through a field of rocks, when he noticed an elegant-looking boat, nearly the same size as theirs, drifting past them.
"Hey! It's my friends! Souji and Komachi! They're the defending champs!"
A male stepped onto the deck, forming a large water chain in his hand. With practiced ease, he latched onto the ship, pulling it off course with one tug.
"Going off direction," Hakuryū noted. "Two points. 87/100. B+."
"I thought you said those were your friends!" Rika exclaimed.
"They are! This is what friends do on this island! Try to kill each other in competitions! See, Souji's preparing another attack on us right now!"
"Wait, huh?"
A vortex-like ball of water appeared in Souji's hand, and he fired it at the boat, causing it to wobble.
"Forget this," Zaria scoffed. "We got any weapons on this deck?"
Han got up, shaking his head. "Don't act dense. Three of us can fight. We are the weapons."
He headed for the top of the deck.
"Huh," Zaria stated. "First time I seen him talk like that."
She formed her spear. "But he's right! Let's go, Rei!"
"Okay!"
"Be careful!" Rika warned.
"What fools," Hakuryū thought. "Going after two prodigies. Ahh, well. I'm sure to have an interesting time."
Zaria, Han, and Rei got on the top deck, noticing Souji preparing another water blast, when he suddenly stopped. "Eh? Who the hell are you? I thought it was just Sōshin."
"Excuse you, mister," Zaria replied. "You're hurting our property and we don't like it. So step off, or we'll make you!"
"Oh, can it, lady. Your face could use the splash."
"What'd you say? Okay, hit him!"
Zaria chucked her spear at the other ship, but Souji knocked it out of the air with a controlled blast.
"Ridiculous," Han muttered, shaking his head. "Kick it, Zaria."
"Right, forgot I could do that!"
She formed her spear again, tossing it into the air. With a spin, she delivered a powerful kick to the spear, sending it flying into the opponent's hull and causing it to drift.
"Hey! That paint job cost a fortune!"
"I don't care!"
Han got on one knee, lining his wrist up with the boat. "Damn hooligans, take a hike."
A wristwatch formed on his watch. "Jugen-Kōbisha: Tekubi Sōchaku Kyūbu—-Wire!"
A wire fired from his wrist, and with a yank, the boat nearly flipped over.
"Good work, Han!" Zaria cheered. "Rei, can you do some moon damage to them?"
"Sure thing! Jugen-Mahōshi: Tsuki no Megenka!"
A powerful moonblast struck them, sinking the vessel.
"Good riddance," Han said.
"We knocked 'em off!" Zaria announced. "Quick, let's head back on deck—-!"
Han stopped her. "Wait. More dumb shit."
A void-like blast erupted from the ground, and the boat rose up again, moving faster than ever. Zaria slapped her forehead. "Great, why can't it ever be easy?"
The three noticed their boat rapidly shaking beneath their feet.
"It's like it's ripping apart!" Rei gasped.
When Zaria looked over at the other boat, she noticed Souji patting a taller girl on the back. "Thanks, Sis. Needed the boost."
"I can handle the attackers, if you'd like to take over driving."
"Not a bad plan. Go for it!"
Komachi made a pushing motion, and the boat began to creak and groan as it tilted over. Rika quickly hurried onto the top deck, Sōshin following behind as he continued moving his arm.
"What's going on up here, guys?" Rika questioned.
The three pointed to the other ship, where Komachi was waiting. Sōshin waved to her. "Hey, Friend Komachi! Did you miss me?"
"Yes. Now die."
With a wave of her arm, the boat spun in a circle as everyone fell.
"How is she doing this crap?" Zaria asked.
"She and her brother are Jugen-Mahōshi's!" Sōshin explained. "One is a Water-Type, the other is Gravity!"
"You just had to make friends with assholes, huh? When we get outta this, no more friends but us, okay?"
"Okay!"
Komachi made a downward stomping motion, and the ship suddenly began to flip on its bow.
"Oh, this bitch—-!"
Komachi began crushing her hands together, and the hull began to cave in.
"Rei! Can you shield this scrap?" Zaria called out.
"Yeah! Jugen-Mahōshi: Gekkō no Gokō!"
A large shield appeared around the ship, and Rei steamed as she held it up. "This…is pretty big…I'll need a lot to maintain it!"
Rika put a hand to her back. "I'll help you! Is that okay?"
"Y—yeah!"
Zaria looked to Han and Sōshin. "Then we should probably get below deck. We're sitting ducks, and that guy's probably gotta whole load of shit to say."
Once they got down below, Hakuryū was sitting, waiting in his chair. "Ah. Someone's back. You've lost 11 points. 4 for leaving me unattended. Now you're at a B. 76/100. Anything below a 70 is a fail."
Zaria brought Han and Sōshin into a huddle. "So anything we do now is pushing us to the brink, great."
"The opposition is getting away," Han pointed out. "That old coon can be dealt with later, or maybe we should just throw him aboard with them."
"As much as I like that, I doubt it'll help us. Sōshin, kick it!"
The boat began to speed up, still shielded by Rei. As Zaria and Han took their seats, Zaria noticed an asteroid floating above the siblings' boat.
"What. The—-?"
"Oh, she's using her new skill!" Sōshin realized. "Asteroid Slam!"
"So the bitch can spawn portals, topple ships, and drop asteroids? What can she do next? Fly?"
"She's working on it!"
Komachi threw the asteroid at Rei's shield, causing it to crack heavily.
"They aren't gonna last much longer up there," Zaria realized. "Han, stay with Sōshin, I'll go back 'em up!"
"Uh-huh."
Once Zaria was gone, Han turned back to the window. "Ridiculous mess after ridiculous mess…"
Another asteroid flew toward them, and Sōshin swerved around it. "Weeee! This is fun!"
"Not fun," Han shot down. "Run those bastards off the path."
"You got it, Friend Han!"
As Sōshin tried to speed up, something slammed into the shield, cracking it.
"Whoa! Not good!"
As he tried to drive forward, he found himself stuck.
"Great," Han sighed. "Don't tell me you broke the thrusters."
"Hmm, no, they're still working! I just can't move!"
Suddenly, the boat began to get dragged underwater, and Hakuryū sat, shaking his head. "Tsk, tsk, tsk."
As the siblings got away, a giant pair of tentacles wrapped around the window dragging it forward, and a glowing yellow eye stared right into the deck.
——