To the Tree-Borne Kettle-Girl



To the Tree-Borne Kettle-Girl, sometimes spelled as To the Tree-Born Kettle-Girl, is the fifth of the first volume of the Ranma ½ manga and is the third chapter in the Tatewaki Kuno Intro Arc.

The fight between Kuno and Ranma has spilled over into the pool. However, as Ranma, who has turned into his female form, drags an unconscious Kuno onto the pool side he awakens and grabs Ranma, while Akane looks on from the School's third floor and wonders if the jig is finally up.

Continuing from Previous Chapter
Kuno grabs onto Ranma and says that he fights on. Kuno then touches Ranma's breast and realises that he is not holding onto the male Ranma Saotome that he knows. Ranma then grabs Kuno's head and throws him onto the pool side and calls Kuno a pervert, before quickly jumping over the fence and disappearing. A few of the students on the third floor notice that Ranma's body looks smaller all round than earlier. Another student replies that it must've been an illusion, meanwhile Akane sneaks away. Kuno is then seen lying on the pool side. He then assures to himself that is was a woman in the pool and not Ranma, this leads Kuno to sit up and shouts that Ranma is a wretch and that he hasn't escaped yet.

On the School Field
Ranma is taking her trousers off and ringing the water out of them. She then calls Kuno a perverted and that he didn't have to squeeze so hard and assumes that he must know about her secret. Someone from below the tree shouts up to Ranma calling her a fool. Ranma looks down and sees Akane and asks what she's going on about. Akane replies that it was stupid for Ranma to jump into the pool of his own free will. Ranma begins pulling faces at Akane and sticking out her tongue. Akane decides not to respond to Ranma's childishness and just shows Ranma the a Tetsubin with the word "Janitor" written on the side and asks if she should just throw the hot water in it away. Ranma begins calling Akane a meanie, but Akane hears some wet footsteps behind her. Akane looks and sees Kuno is looking for Ranma, so she throws the Tetsubin to Ranma. Ranma reaches out to catch the Tetsubin, while Akane goes to confront Kuno.

Akane's Challenge
Akane runs up to Kuno and says that she challenges him. Kuno is surprised that Akane has challenged him says that if she wins he'll let go out with him, so he'll lose with all his might. Akane is highly confused by this and asks him who's asking to go out with him. Akane then says to herself that Ranma should change back into a boy while she distracts Kuno. However, Ranma, who is still in the tree precariously holding the Tetsubin, asks what she is supposed to do. Kuno then launches at Akane with his Shinai, which Akane manages to grab and stop. However, the force of the strike causes Akane to trip backwards she then quickly kicks Kuno into the air. Meanwhile, Ranma has finally regained her balance and is about to pour the hot water when Kuno lands on top of the Tetsubin and dents it.

Kuno turns and sees Ranma and recognises her as the girl from the pool. Akane then points angrily at Ranma and asks why she's still a girl, which Ranma replies what did expect. Kuno asks Ranma is she saw where the boy with the pigtail went, Ranma shakes her head. This leads Kuno to start calling Ranma a coward for running away from the fight and that he must've feared Kuno's prowess. Ranma gets angered by this as Kuno continues to say that Ranma Saotome is no man. Ranma has heard enough so lets go of the Tetsubin, thus causing Kuno to fall to the floor. Ranma then jumps down and decides to challenge Kuno herself.

Kuno vs. Ranma
Kuno picks his Shinai and says that if Ranma wins he'll allow her to go out with him. Kuno then attacks Ranma, however Ranma easily jumps out of the way. As Ranma does this she asks Kuno who's asking to go out with him and then kicks him in the face. As Kuno falls to the floor he says to himself that this girl is just as skilled as Akane, if not more skilled. Ranma then begins twirling round Kuno's Shinai and says that Ranma Saotome is even better than her. Akane and Ranma then walk off, leaving Kuno lying on the grass. Ranma says to Akane that they should go home, which Akane says that school isn't even over yet.

In the Tendo Dojo
Genma and Ranma are in the Dojo doing Head stands. Genma says to Ranma that Akane really looked out for him today, which Ranma replies that it's not like her asked her to. Meanwhile, Akane is in her room with Nabiki, who is asking Akane if it is any of her business about Ranma being a boy who can turn into a girl.

Cast in Order of Appearance

 * Tatewaki Kuno
 * Ranma Saotome (female)
 * Akane Tendo
 * Genma Saotome
 * Ranma Saotome (male)
 * Nabiki Tendo