underground fights.

Two months had passed since Roshi, Master Takemoto, and his companions gave Kei six months to complete his chosen trials, and three months since he started high school. With brief problems and many indifferences, he noticed that day by day, James Shiba always ignored everything, from Kei's greetings of "Sensei" to seeking him out at the pachinko machines.

Monday

He asked with all his heart but was ignored.

Tuesday

He continued sending letters under the door, insisting for fifteen minutes.

Wednesday

He knocked on the door forcefully, continuing his work, but it was a real nuisance.

Thursday

-You damn master, I know you're there. I saw you go in, and I need you, so I need you to give me an idea of how to improve my boxing. – Kei shouted, while James Shiba frowned at the word "master," sitting by the door with a sighing look, his denim jacket, and strong arms being the focal point.

-Recently, I learned about a great person, someone known as the great master of all arts, and he's a great doctor. Well, he mentioned he's looking for a great disciple. He practices Jiu-Jitsu, the strongest martial art, or so he said, "Since I have a great trial that could even cost me my life, I believe it's the strongest martial art." What surprised me is that his mustache makes him look like a young boy in puberty, you know, just a mustache. I hope he's good. – Kei commented, provoking James Shiba, who straightened his back at the mention of mustaches. From the way Kei spoke, it was clear he was talking about Akisame, and from everything said, it must be true. That fool Akisame spoke ill of his mustache, and Kei's effort to become his disciple was apparent.

-I'll be practicing on the post. – Kei commented, continuing to punch the metal post covered in rope. He struck nonstop, a thousand punches with force, each one needing to be at maximum speed while practicing all the basic boxing punches he knew.

Jab: A straight punch thrown with the lead hand, generally the left arm for right-handers and the right arm for left-handers. It's used to measure distance, keep the opponent at bay, and set the pace of the fight.

Right Cross: A straight punch thrown with the rear hand, generally the right arm for right-handers and the left arm for left-handers. It's used to attack the opponent directly with force and speed.

Left Hook: A curved punch thrown with the lead hand, generally the left arm for right-handers and the right arm for left-handers. It's used to hit the opponent on the side of the jaw from a lateral angle.

Right Hook: A curved punch thrown with the rear hand, generally the right arm for right-handers and the left arm for left-handers. It's used to hit the opponent on the side of the jaw from an opposite lateral angle to the left hook.

Uppercut: An upward punch thrown from below with one of the arms. It's used to attack the opponent's jaw or chin from a low angle and can be effective at close range.

Body Hook: A curved punch aimed at the opponent's body, generally directed at the abdomen or ribs. It's used to weaken the opponent and wear them down throughout the fight.

Overhand Right: A punch thrown with a wide motion from above with the rear hand, intended to go over the opponent's guard and hit their head from above.

Slap Punch: An open and wide punch thrown with the back of the hand, generally used in close-range situations to unbalance the opponent or create space for other punches.

All the punches were repeated over and over again.

James Shiba massaged his head. A month and a half had passed, and the kid didn't stop watching him, unfailingly. The way he acted, it was well known he hated it, and yet, watching from the window at every punch, he could see the talent. There were many things to refine in his raw abilities, seeing how he punched the post every day until his arms burned. Shiba couldn't help but admire him as a martial arts master, always finding a way to end up facing challenges.

-Tomorrow, when he asks, I'll tell him the conditions. – said James Shiba, who, apart from being arrogant, was proud. He would never start a conversation; it's better for people to feel needed.

Kei was sweating from head to toe, unusually so. He saw the night beginning to settle in as the afternoon faded with the setting sun.

-I'm a bit frustrated. – Kei muttered to himself, utterly exhausted, continuing to punch, over and over again, sleeping outdoors, and waking with the sun. He ran home to take his little sister to school, a routine of rinse and repeat.

***

He took the jogging route to reach the practice hall. All of Master Takemoto's disciples practiced on their own, but the hall was quieter than usual in the master's absence, with only a few representative members present.

He went to the back, where they ran through the forest. There was Kovac, doing his daily training. Kovac had outstanding endurance, far surpassing Kei's. Every day, with 30 kilos strapped to each limb, he ran tirelessly through the forest, climbed a five-meter mountain, and then dug with an extremely heavy shovel to take weights and perform katas with weights on his hands and legs before digging again.

-You're early. I'm about to start the routine. Want to join? – Kovac asked.

-I have time for the routine. – Kei replied, seeing it was eight o'clock. They had sports in the first hours, so he could make it by the third period. But since it was English, a language he mastered, he could wait until the fifth period, after lunch.

-Let's do it then. – Kovac said, and they started challenging each other, the way things usually went.

The run began, and what could have been eternal exhaustion now felt like a training he enjoyed. He thought about how work could adhere to formal training, like construction, mining, agriculture, carrying heavy things, or simply delivering newspapers.

-We'll talk once we finish everything we need to do. – Kovac commented, seeing Kei's eagerness to chat.

They continued on the forest route, and often, rain was the worst enemy. Yet, they kept doing everything possible. Climbing was one of the toughest exercises, which Kovac had done since he was ten. Now fifteen, he could say it had all been worth it.

With the extra weight, everything was much more demanding. Two hours later, Kei was on the ground, exhausted after the exercise.

-I'd like us to fight. – Kei said, catching his breath. Kovac was a soldier with countless missions.

Kovac raised an eyebrow, questioning how things continued. He knew Kei would soon face Kengan matches, a situation that was starting to unfold.

-We'll fight tomorrow. Go to class, punk. – Kovac said with a smile. Kovac had black hair, black eyes, and pale skin. The way things were still posed problems.

Kovac wanted to prepare Kei for the Kengan matches, which involved fierce and mysterious fighters who targeted weak points or performed dangerous acts.

Kovac's teaching was quick; Aikido and boxing were his strengths. But he saw in Kei a mastery of Kenpo and boxing. Kenpo focused more on redirection and the hardening of the tiger.

...