underground fights.

The night had fallen, and it was both curious and remarkable. The way Yami began moving to reach Japan, with each and every one of the fearsome fighters, accompanied by their great masters, all gathered there. Kei walked alongside the tiger Niko, each moving at their own pace—Niko leading, while the cub followed. Their strength was so great it made the novices part like the Red Sea. Kei observed, weighed down by 50-kilogram arm weights, carrying more than any ordinary person could bear. But by using the water kata, he danced with the weights, letting movement guide him.

'He's grown stronger,' thought Niko, glancing sideways. He noticed the glint of copper on Kei's previously slim armor, now reinforced with stronger, thicker springs—powerful enough to crush a refrigerator or a microwave. The dedicated training made even walking a torture, forcing Kei to use the fire kata to channel strength through his legs, a complete workout in itself.

The base of martial arts lies in the legs—Niko knew it, Shiba knew it, any true master knew it.

-You're letting out your bloodlust, you cheeky brat,- remarked the other Niko.

Kei was startled, unconsciously raising his Ki to regulate his training but mixing it with his bloodlust. Suddenly, the pressure destabilized, then dissipated, leaving some members breathing deeply, surprised to see the master of the cloud and his disciple—they were fierce.

-You'll be under the leadership of Yomi's head while I conduct some research. We're onto something good,- said the other Niko, who was an expert in pharmacology and chemistry, albeit unofficially.

-I'll do as you wish,- replied Kei.

…

A helicopter flew through the streets of Japan, the tall buildings a testament to the urban landscape around them. The darkness whipped at the helicopter's blades, swaying everything from side to side. Kanou Shou stood on top of a building, resembling more a fortress or military structure.

Sitting astride his bright blue motorcycle, he watched a young man with dark blue hair jump from the helicopter along with other soldiers—all fierce warriors capable of knocking out a man with a single blow. Their military uniforms, with plastic shoulder pads, gleamed with a murderous glint.

-Helicopters may fly, but without wings, I hate them,- murmured Kanou.

Boris, a figure with black marks on his cheeks, a black bandana, and sparse eyebrows—a dangerous Russian—let out a grunt.

-Over and over again, Boris, can't you arrive in Japan in a more conventional way?- asked Shou.

-We're not military, nor are we ordinary people; it's too dangerous to do it the normal way,- replied Boris, his hands in his pockets. -What do you want? Isn't it too early for a regular meeting?-

-I have orders from Yami—I want you to lose control a little,- said Kanou.

-I'm not obligated to obey anyone's orders except my master's. I came this far only because my master told me to. I won't move until he says so,- Boris stated.

There was a long silence.

-I've said this before, but, Boris…wearing camouflage in the middle of the city draws a lot of attention! A lot!- Shou exclaimed.

-Understood, master. By 23:00 today, I'll be back under Yami's orders,- replied Boris, using a military phone. Two soldiers escorted him, and he gave them a quick salute before hanging up, nodding at the soldiers to let them know they were now under Yami's orders.

-Boris Ivanov, I hate you,- muttered Kanou Shou. The two young men entered the building, where Ogata, Niko, Hongo, Kushinada, and Jenazah awaited.

***

Meanwhile, according to Tanimoto's sources, he learned that Boris Ivanov was in the city. He narrowed his eyes, thinking about Kenichi, who was fleeing from Ryozampaku under pressure from Miu and his masters.

-There he is, don't let him escape,- said Akisame, pointing. Miu's flashlight illuminated him, her angular face glistening with sweat.

Shigure appeared, throwing sharp needles while Kenichi escaped with Nijima's secret technique—the Eight Boat Shadow Style—a strange, perpendicular movement. Apachai leapt to catch him, but Kenichi used the Honoka Style Sweet Attack to distract the giant.

However, he was blocked by Shio Sakaki in front.

-Hey, this is a new record for escape attempts. Looks like you've gotten good at it,- commented Sakaki.

He moved to the sides, but Master Ma, reading a magazine, closed in.

-It's the result of his training; even his escape skills are improving,- said Ma Kensei.

To his right was Master Akisame, combing his mustache, watching from the side. Kenichi assessed his escape route; the only option left was a leap into the void.

-Since we've tripled his training, it's inevitable that his escape skills have also improved threefold,- noted Akisame.

-Bah, it'd be nice if you acted a bit more like a true martial artist,- muttered Master Ma.

Higher up, an elder's black eyes gleamed yellow in the moonlight. The pursuers turned their gaze.

-Ken-chan, being trained by so many masters, to this degree, is something even a king could hardly achieve. So why are you thinking of running away again?- questioned the old man.

Tears welled up in the boy's eyes, finding himself completely desperate. His training was lethal, designed to push him to the brink of death. It tested his physical, motor, reflexive, and nervous limits.

-I'm not running away; I just want a little free time,- Kenichi muttered, visibly nervous.

-To train at triple intensity, you have to train with your life on the line, with no free time at all,- the old man replied.

-You say life on the line, but most of the time I actually die, and then you bring me back with some weird Chinese medicine. What about my human rights?- Kenichi retorted.

-A true disciple…is not human!- the elder's words hit like an arrow, leaving Kenichi completely bewildered and stunned. The old man's words etched themselves into Kenichi's soul as he leaped from the roof, sighing, as if falling backward into a pool.

-He jumped,- Sakaki exclaimed, surprised.

-Kenichi-san,- Miu gasped, watching him leap.

Kenichi fell, breaking through leaves, branches, and bushes.

-He landed pretty hard… Is he dead?- asked Sakaki nervously, hearing the impact as Kenichi's physical skills allowed him to crash into a bush, absorbing the blow, and finding himself facing Runna, a cat, and a mouse.

-If he'd died from something like this, then the disciple remodeling plan would be impossible,- Akisame nodded.

-I made it to the warehouse; if they stay there a bit longer, I'll get through,- Kenichi said.

Runna raised her hand and pointed to a hole in the wall.

-They made it,- Kenichi said, handing a suitcase full of chocolates to Runna, who inspected the goods and nodded to the mouse and cat, who lifted a curtain over the hole Kenichi escaped through in the night.

-I'm truly grateful, Tochumaru-sama, Runna-sama, Sunny-sama. I'll never forget this favor,- Kenichi said.

-Business is business,- murmured Runna, only to be grabbed by Sakaki by the scruff of her neck.

-So we have a scapegoat,- Sakaki said.

Runna burst into tears, held protectively by Shigure, who scowled at Sakaki. Sakaki, flustered by Runna's tears, tried to explain it was unintentional. But Runna insisted Sakaki was a brute.

-He has no tact with children,- Akisame commented, shaking his head.

-He's inconsiderate and rude,- retorted Runna, relaxing in Shigure's arms.

-I'm sorry,- muttered Sakaki.

-Do you have the tracker, Runna?- asked Ma Kensei.

-I don't want to give it! Sakaki is mean,- Runna cried in Shigure's embrace, who gently stroked her hair.

-Sakaki is a man built without soft edges,- Ma Kensei remarked, pulling out a Destinyland magazine and handing it to the girl, who lit up at the sight of new products, all paid for by her brother.

-No more beers for Sakaki,- Chia joked softly from the doorway, wearing an apron and preparing snacks and desserts for the next day. Chia Kazama ruled the kitchen, the one place where she was in charge.

-It wasn't my fault!- Sakaki protested.

-She'll forget it by tomorrow,- Akisame replied, showing his magazine to Shigure.

...