Shaman King Volume 17 by Hiroyuki Takei

Yoh shares with the others on his team the story of Hao and why Hao has come back now. He also reveals that Hao is the strongest Shaman at the fight and will definitely win. Yoh is still going to fight him, however, because what comes after the Shaman fight will make the difference.

But as soon as he is finished and leaves, Tao Ren, Joco and Horohoro are attacked by a mysterious man in a mask who turns out to be... Yoh's Dad? He offers the trio the knowledge of a technique that could increase their power exponentially... but first they must fight. Tao Ren refuses to ask for the technique. Instead, he tells Mikihisa Asakura that he will take the technique from his dead body, or while they are fighting.

And indeed, he does manage to learn the technique (Ultra Senju Ryakketsu) despite being smashed down by Mikihisa quite a few times. He isn't able to defeat Mikihisa, but he does pass out afterwards. Mikihisa's battle might have disqualified him for participation in the Shaman fight, as the time for him to come and fight in the ring is now. But when Joco, Horohoro and Tao Ren are attacked by the Tecolote team, who are now fighting for Hao. Mikihisa is willing to forfeit the match to save them, but they tell him to go. Tao Ren is confident that he can beat La Tecolote, who have already been defeated by Yoh's team.

But the Tecolote team have been empowered by Hao, and as they fight, they reveal to Joco and Horohoro the power of numbers: as people grow up, they accept the limits on their power, but while they are young, determination can do much. So even if their Mana is only 2,000 and Hao's is over 10,000, it is still possible that they could win, simply if they believe in themselves. But they are shocked, and are about to fall when Yoh steps in. But can he beat the entire Tecolote team by himself? And can Mikihisa's team defeat the Mariachi team and advance?

This was an unusual volume. It still has lots of fighting, but the idea that young children are stronger precisely because they *don't* know their limits was not a new one to me, as it also comes out in the "Young Wizards" series by Diane Duane. It also mixed in the idea that we accept, over time, what people tell us about ourselves. If someone keeps telling you that you are worthless, you will eventually come to believe it.

Strange as it was for all the fighting, I actually liked this volume of the manga, which was more about believing in yourself to be able to pass what you think are your limits, in the way that most people don't think they will be able to do something or get through something until they actually live through it or do it. Yes, there was fighting, but it was about more than that. And it made me want to pick up the next volume, also. Amazing.