[FFML] [Ranma] Hearts and Minds, Part 9 of 10

[Gary Kleppe]

On 08/22/2013 07:22 PM, Michael Clark wrote:

> At last we understand the mystery behind Biaozi's appearance.  Could she
> have anticipated that Shampoo would rise in prominence over the course
> of this war and thus make it easy for her to swoop in as Shampoo and
> claim leadership?


All such things should be clear from the next installment, I hope.


> Nabiki's efforts back in the States don't go over completely well, but
> she seems to have enough to dissuade her employer from making further
> deals.  All in all, as well as could be expected.
>
> That Genma is the "traitor" doesn't strike me as a big surprise. It fits
> pretty well with his character.
>
> One thing I feel somewhat puzzled about is Kasumi's glimpse into the
> future.  Has it been hinted throughout that she could ultimately do
> this?  Has she been struggling with the idea of doing it for some time?
> If not, I feel that the introduction of this idea, and the quick use of
> this power to see the future, may be plopped into the story a bit
> suddenly.


In one of the Preludes, her teacher Kaede pulled off a similar feat with 
Cologne (who was the only one who actually saw the future and died of 
old age immediately after). So yeah, there's a precedent for it. Kasumi 
on her own isn't really as capable as that, but she's getting help from 
her late mother and other unknown spirits who want her to see so she'll 
be committed to doing what the vision shows her doing.


> Ranma's insistence that they lay off Akane doesn't come until *after*
> he's realized that Genma is the real culprit; I feel this deprives him
> of an opportunity to show faith in her, despite his brief struggle with
> figuring out who could be the true perpetrator.


Alas, his faith still isn't that strong. I do want to show a Ranma who's 
improved but one who still has a ways to go.


> Kasumi has found out that she has a role to play in the coming battle,
> ostensibly one that may deprive her of her life, or something else just
> as serious.  Thus, she goes to Tofu and starts getting intimate with
> him.  It's clear why Tofu would want this; why does she want to do this?
> Is it for herself?  Is it just for him?  Both?  I expect this may become
> more clear once we see what happens in the next chapter, but it struck
> me as rather sudden from an in-story perspective.


I thought the narration made it clear that it was both. If your 
suspicions are correct, not that I'm saying they are, then I'm not sure 
why anybody should be surprised at what she did. If you found out you 
were facing unavoidable life-altering or life-ending events very soon, 
what would you do?


>> "Orders from General Ha," Cogenki said. "You are to fire an artillery
>> barage on the following coordinates...."
>
> Barrage.


D'oh. Someday I'll remember to spell-check before posting....


>> "That makes two of us." Ranma planted himself directly in Genma's
>> path. "What the hell were you thinking?" *Come on, old man,* he
>> thought, *give me one of your speeches.* Before he had left camp,
>> Ranma had woke Akane, telling her to get the others and follow. Then
>> he'd left as obvious a trail as he could manage. So any minute now
>> they'd be here, if only he could keep his Pop talking until then.
>
> Woke or woken?


Since it's a past perfect tense, it should be woken. Thanks for 
catching, and as always thanks for the comments.