underground fights.

The fight lasted just over 20 seconds, but it was enough to leave some minor wounds on Kei's body. He licked his wounds, particularly his aching legs, which had borne the force of his movements, supporting his weight despite the strain. For someone who had undergone Dr. Akibahara's collateral bone reinforcement, his body was deeply resentful. Now, the scuffle he had in class had turned into a full-blown fight, with an imposing figure like Bokuda backing Kei up, akin to a medieval castle.

-This won't end here, Kazama! - Kasuya shouted, his eye swollen and his cheek bruised. He ran off as the end of the school day approached, time lining up for the trip to Master Takemoto's dojo.

-It's inconceivable, - a member of Kasuya's gang from the same grade said.

-Shut up. Everyone saw him defeat him in three moves, - someone behind said, restraining him by the shoulder.

Trouble was brewing.

-Well, fight then, - Kei said slowly. -C-o-w-a-r-d, just like Kazuya. He begged me not to hit him anymore. You have the power to back your friend or just a big mouth, - Kei said furiously, the schoolyard fell silent.

The hands of the young man attacked. He squeezed his hands and could see that he was at his limit. - So that everyone knows Kasuya's gang, they are nothing more than cowards. Are these the ones who intimidated you for months? Now they know their colors, they're as quick as cockroaches, - Kei said.

-BASTARD! - shouted the blond-haired boy.

Kei dodged the wide first punch; he didn't have a specific style, perhaps didn't practice a martial art, and learned to fight in the streets. Kei landed two quick blows; he wasn't as good as his friend; at most, they were both average fighters with some training; there was nothing remarkable about it.

The first blow struck his nose, and the second struck his stomach; blood ran from his nostrils, and his eyes were watering, he contained the tears, but they escaped; it was normal since a blow to the nose easily caused tears due to the same sensitivity of the nose. The next step was a quick low kick that hit the defense he managed to place in his arm, but the blow was enough to stun him and leave him on the floor.

-Don't bother me again; I don't want to argue, much less waste my time fighting with you, - Kei said, checking the boy; he had a wallet with 700 yen, enough to eat well for a week. Kei threw the wallet away and looked at the silent young man.

-Have a good week; I hope this settles our dispute, - Kei said.

The boy said nothing but adjusted his briefcase in a gesture of what was controlled, the gesture of control according to Roshi, refers to habits that people do to avoid or control certain emotions that may or may not be contradictory for people. Such as fear, horror, anxiety, anguish, tension, alarm, and agitation.

-The elders didn't move, but this school territory is now ours, - Bokuda commented. "Although you let those cowards go."

-It's better this way. See you later, Bokuda. I've done my part and finished off the young fish; it's your turn with the elders, - Kei said. He needed to get to Master Takemoto's dojo; it was a mistake to come to school with such large wounds; dizziness began to hit him momentarily from the pain he inflicted on his body.

After several minutes, he managed to take the subway; in rest, he reached where Roshi, who could see Kei's knuckles, and knew that he had gotten involved in street fights. The reprimand never came, and Roshi's silent work caused more impression than a long reprimand.

The deep reading of the treatise on tranquility and the praise of difficulty was a punishment worse than physical punishment.

Four days later,

 Kei found himself under the guidance of Master Takemoto, preparing for a new phase of training. The bone hardening technique would have to wait three more months for its next phase, as recovery remained a critical factor in Kei's regimen. His increased food intake, managed by Roshi's weekly vitamin solutions equivalent to sustaining a coma patient for a month, supported his extensive training and excessive consumption of carbohydrates, vegetables, and proteins. This nutritional regimen during his growth period was crucial, bolstering his physical development alongside rigorous training.

-Until now, you've only learned basic boxing and kempo, - Master Takemoto began. - But I'm confident that with time, you'll adapt these stances into a complete style of great skill. I'll teach you—the Takemoto style has three main foundations: evasion, attack, and positioning. -

The Takemoto style, derived from wartime experience and refined for survival in prolonged combat, focused on conserving energy. It blended elements of aikido, kempo, tiger-style strikes, and light boxing—emphasizing footwork, anticipation, and evasive defense. It was designed to endure hours of combat without rest, leveraging recovery times strategically between bursts of intense activity.

-You've practiced dodging, pushing, and grabbing. These are baby steps; I've pushed you beyond your comfort zone deliberately. Each skill has its principles, and the final step is adapting to all relationships within combat, - Takemoto explained, reflecting on his preference for Kempo and boxing, occasionally relying on aikido for evasion when necessary.

Kei shared his affinity for grappling combined with boxing but acknowledged the underestimated value of evasion. - If you can dodge every blow, you could win the match at any moment, - Kei reasoned.

-Possible, but in combat, it all comes down to a split-second. A well-placed strike can end a fight swiftly. Dodging is as effective as your mind allows it to be. My preference leans toward blocking and evading only when necessary—it's instinctual. Combat is complex, lad, - Takemoto imparted, drawing on years of battle wisdom.

They proceeded to practice tiger katas—swift, complex movements requiring flexibility and precision. Takemoto stressed the importance of performing these moves swiftly, comparing them to ancient Chinese martial arts dances designed to condition the body and mind for combat.

-Repeat after me. I'll assist you for the first hour, then you'll work with Roshi or Kovac. I'll supervise when I can. Keep at it; speed is key. Mastery of these katas will make your strikes effortless, -Takemoto instructed with uncharacteristic seriousness, his demeanor often softened by his nickname "The Smiling Warrior," earned from his perpetually calm expression even in combat.

Kei struggled through the intricate tiger poses, each demanding quick, precise execution. Roshi, observing, emphasized the importance of fluidity and speed. "Slow is fast," he reminded Kei, urging him to focus on completing the dance correctly rather than hastily.

Once Takemoto departed, Roshi remained a steadfast presence, guiding Kei through the drills until the sky darkened, and the threat of rain loomed. Despite the impending weather, Kei continued his training, enduring the discomfort and pushing his body through each demanding exercise.

-You must stretch. Go for a 20-kilometer run, son, with weighted gear, but do it quickly. Last time, you completed it in two hours; aim for under an hour and a half this time. You'll acclimate to the dance routine. I'll prepare a cold bath afterward to relax your muscles, - Roshi encouraged, emphasizing the importance of physical endurance and mental fortitude.

Kei set off, running through the park with a focus sharpened by the rhythmic pounding of his feet and the cool, moist air. Running had become a meditative activity for him, allowing thoughts to flow freely as his body responded to the natural surroundings.

-Right on time—one hour and fifty minutes. Faster next time; we'll practice as time passes, - Roshi noted, handing Kei a large bucket of ice-cold water prepared for his muscle recovery.

-I hate the cold, - Kei admitted with a shiver.

-Haha, you dove right in, son, - Roshi chuckled, acknowledging Kei's determination.

-Well, sir, it's just that every second in that tub felt unbearable. Not exactly my idea of fun, - Kei confessed, teeth chattering from the cold.

-You haven't told me why you fought, knowing the pain you were in. A single blow must have stung like needles, yet you fought, - Roshi observed, his gaze shifting from the painting he was working on.

-It wasn't my intention. He kept challenging me, and threw the first punch, - Kei responded, his disdain for Kazuya evident. - But would I have acted any differently? Unethically, perhaps. Acting on instinct, not considering the consequences. -

-Unfortunately, sometimes we're no better than animals, - Roshi sighed, reflecting on the nature of conflict and human behavior.

...