[center][h2]Tournament Aftermath, Planet Earth[/h2][h3]Sunday, July 17th, 2500
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Pan laughed to herself as Bakuto jumped to his feet. He sure was an eager one, she thought to herself. On the outside however, she managed to contain her amusement to a polite smile. 

[b]"Well, there is a threat of sorts, on its way to Earth. And I lead a team of fighters that are going to be facing this threat. Actually 'manage' would be a better word for what I do. I don't do much leading anymore; I don't fight like I used to. [/b]

[b]"Anyways, this team, we call ourselves the Z-Fighters, and once every ten years or so, a small alien force comes to earth to challenge us. It's not a formal fight like the tournaments here, but rather, a small invasion. They simply show up and if we don't meet them to fight, they have orders to start destroying cities and ultimately take over the world if they don't meet any resistance. However, if we do meet them to battle, and we win, they also have orders to retreat and not return for ten more years."[/b]

Pan watched Bakuto's reactions carefully, hoping that she wasn't coving too much information too quickly. [b]"You've never heard anything about this because, as I'm proud to say, we've sent them packing without incident for many decades in a row now.

"This is where you come in."[/b] She said. [b]"Any time we see fighters with potential, we like to recruit them. And someone up there has seen potential in you young, man. Unfortunately, you're going to need to go through some serious training, if you're going to be a match for even one of their foot soldiers. Also, we don't have much time. They will be arriving in one month. 

"So I need you to be aware, if you really want to go through with this, you're going to be going through the toughest training of your life for one month. And maybe, if we're lucky, you can defeat a few grunts without getting yourself killed. What do you say? Scared?"[/b]

Pan crossed her arms in front of her chest, just below her elderly bust. The smirk on her face said that it would be okay if Bakuto wanted to back out now, she would understand. At the same time, she'd probably tease him for it, if he did. 

---

[b]Back at the ramen shop...[/b]

[b]"An autograph?"[/b] The man chuckled at the idea. [b]"No, no. I'm no collector of names. I am however, a collector of fighters. You see, I'm in charge of a team of elite fighters that I think you would be a perfect fit to join. You have a certain determination in your style that I like, and that others in the team share.

"That being said, you still need a lot of training. You might have been the best here at the tournament, but I assure you. There are much stronger opponents out there, just waiting to put you in your place. In fact, if you were to join my fighters, as I hope you will, you'd be at the very bottom of the totem pole, right there with that Bakuto kid, who I bet is going to join too. My daughter should be talking to him right about now..."[/b]

[b]"Excuse me, miss."[/b] The shop owner injected himself, hot bowl of ramen on a plate in his hands. [b]"Your food is ready. I may have doubled up on the proteins for you. I know how you fighters burn calories like nothing!"[/b] The middle aged man set that food down on the counter in front of her. [b]"You know,"[/b] He continued. [b]"I couldn't help but here you offer this man an autograph. Well, if he doesn't want one, I sure do!"[/b]