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Episode 23 -	No Need for Karma!
	Innen muyō!
First aired -	3rd September 1995

The fugitives enter the final leg of their journey to Jurai. They take shelter from their pursuers on the disused site of the Juraian imperial villa. After landing the Yagami in a tree, they disembark and inspect the ruins; clearly, no-one has lived here for hundreds of years. There they find a statue, still standing proudly among the ruins. Sasami notices that the statue's face bears a close resemblance to Tenchi's. Ayeka points out that the statue is of Tenchi's grandfather when he was a young Juraian warrior known as Yosho. They find a second statue close by, but the head has been smashed. The princesses are at a loss to explain who the second statue is, but Yosho recognises the figure at once.

He recounts the tale of a Juraian nobleman, brave and highly skilled. This man was a prime candidate for the title of legendary warrior, but he abused his incredible Jurai powers and became a vicious and soulless killer. Yosho faced him in combat and defeated him, and the man disappeared without a trace, his name expunged from Juraian history. The name of this man was Kagato.

As night draws in, the group build a campfire and cook a meal (alas, the only food remaining is carrots). Tenchi, Ayeka, Katsuhito and Ryoko all stay apart from the others, each one lost in thought. As Tenchi sits under a tree, Ayeka approaches him. Tenchi tells her that he can hardly believe that he is more than just an ordinary Earthling. Ayeka confesses that, despite all their hardships over the past few weeks, she has enjoyed spending time with him. However, she is mindful of her duties as a princess, and that her wonderful vacation must end sometime. But, she points out, if Tenchi is the true heir to the Juraian throne, they need never be apart again.

Katsuhito too is deep in thought. As he walks amongst the ruins, a dark figure appears behind him; Kagato. Katsuhito's fears that the outcast Kagato had taken the throne are confirmed. Kagato confronts Katsuhito, and tells him that he has been plotting revenge, honing his skills for hundreds of years. Ready to re-enact the same fateful battle that forced Kagato into hiding, the two combatants draw their swords, forged of concentrated Jurai energy, and launch into battle. Katsuhito blocks Kagato's attacks with ease, and retaliates with a bolt of energy aimed at his nemesis. However, Kagato's skills are easily equal to Katsuhito's, and he too blocks the attack. Summoning up all his Jurai energy at once, Kagato strikes back with his sword, sending Katsuhito flying. Dazed, Katsuhito staggers to his feet and resumes the fight. He too summons up all his power to attack, and charges at Kagato, willing to sacrifice his own life to defeat Kagato.

Drawn by the commotion of their battle, the others rush to Katsuhito's aid. However, they are too late; Katsuhito lies defeated at Kagato's feet. Ryoko materializes in the sky above him and fires, but her attack is deflected with ease. Kagato fires back at her, and a bolt pierces her side sending her crashing to the ground. Tenchi and Ayeka arrive moments later to find Ryoko and Katsuhito down and defeated. Azaka and Kamidake enter the fray to stop Kagato killing Katsuhito, but they too are easily knocked off their feet by Kagato. Tenchi himself faces Kagato with nothing more than a stick as his weapon, but Azaka and Kamidake warn him to stay back. Kagato notices Tenchi's resemblance to the young warrior Yosho, and jumps to the correct conclusion about him. He decides to postpone their battle, instead spiriting princess Ayeka away on his spaceship. As he leaves, he challenges Tenchi to come and retrieve her from the Jurai royal palace.

With Kagato gone, the others rush to the aid of the wounded. Katsuhito, weak and no longer able to fight, gives Tenchi his sword, Tenchi-ken (sword Tenchi), and begs that he use it to defeat Kagato.

<< Episode 22 - No Need for Knights!

Episode 24 - No Need for Ryoko! >>

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