underground fights.

Kei was running through the streets again. As he arrived at his training ground, he saw James Shiba calmly watching him from a post. A wave of fear or panic swept over him when Shiba threw a punch so fast it stopped right at the tip of his nose, just as the wind pushed him backward.

-You were close to my fist hitting your face. For a moment, I aimed to touch your chin, but your reflexes are quick. – commented James Shiba.

Kei saw the entire movement. He managed to move backward at the last moment, but Kei was slow. By instinct, he didn't see the fist but sensed the intent to attack, which allowed him to pass the first test. Shiba aimed for a solid hit to the chin, but Kei curled his body back.

-What was that, you crazy old man! – responded Kei Kazama.

-I was testing you. Very few people have what it takes to act clearly when they receive an attack. – said James Shiba, pondering deeply about how to continue, as he wasn't good at this teaching stuff.

-So what's gotten into you? – commented Kei, a bit more alert than he thought. His posture was ready to react to any punch.

-Relax, kid. – said Shiba, passing by and indicating with his head for Kei to enter his house, which had a combat ring in the middle and a small kitchen nearby. Nothing impressive, but it was Shiba's place.

Both entered while Shiba took a lotus position and invited Kei to sit, with a deep look. They observed each other for a moment. It was the first time they noticed each other. Kei was different from anything known. He was a young man with reddish hair, rebellious eyes, and rough hands. Based on his training to enhance his punches, kicks, and elbows, Shiba could understand that Kei's body was in the process of becoming a weapon. Admiring the young man with such skills at a young age, Shiba saw that Kei had the power of a half-disciple. It was enough to take down three men effortlessly. His punches were fast, and his skills were acceptable.

-Tell me your story, why do you seek power? Before you speak, know that your training depends on your answer. – commented James Shiba.

Kei felt that if he lied, or said something contrary, a lie, or deception, James would reject him. Both settled in their place with some fear, knowing this was his way out... this and Ryozanpaku.

-The short answer is my brother is my legal guardian. For some technicality, he sold me to an assassin clan, the Kure clan, for 13 million yen. I thought it was payable, but it wasn't. I was wrong. These loan sharks charge 19% interest. Now I owe 98 million yen, and the sum only grows. What terrifies me most is that if you're not important to the clan, you're used as cannon fodder. That's not the important part. My family, my mother, my sister, they're good people. If I let something happen, it could all turn into a worse deal. I joined the military and asked to be trained, but now I owe them too. They're testing me in underground fights, not just any fights but Kengan matches. If I have to give my life, so be it. They gave me all the necessary tools, but I found out they were not as powerful as I thought. A master of fighting, but not enough to regain my freedom. I fight for myself, for survival. I want to be strong to survive and spit in the face of the world so that no one can dictate my fate without suffering the consequences. – said Kei.

James knew the Kure clan and their way of living was clear. As a man, they would only accept him if he had power.

James looked at him, but Kei knew the following words were painful to say, as they meant everything and nothing.

-You're a boxer, and I want to be one. But I want to reach a limit, a limit that's not normal. Better than a superhuman and stronger than any normal person. I want to change my destiny without running away, without taking the coward's stance. I want my fist to sing… my ultimate wish is to have a family. – commented Kei.

James sighed at the life of the boy, so young yet filled with wisdom beyond his years.

Kei spoke the truth, facing the situation head-on. He also had an amateurish desire to meet all the fighters, even believing there was a place for Baki Hanma fighters. But there was no news about them, only Kenichi, his classmate, and Kengan matches. Though he hadn't been close to Kengan people, there was no great fighter like Junpei Sekibayashi. He had an idea, but he was young, only 25, with 13 years to go before the Kengan matches began in the timeline.

-What's your favorite punch? – asked Shiba.

-The straight. – said Kei without thinking.

Knowing this only left him with a sense of anxiety to surpass his limits.

-Call me James. I'll be your man in the corner, the one who supports you behind the ropes. I'll teach you to be powerful... but you'll make me rich. - Shiba said with a wolfish grin. If the boy was going to be a Kengan fighter, it was best to train him in a way that normal people couldn't handle.

Pulling out pure steel springs and other hooks, Shiba removed his shirt, revealing the weights on his arms and legs, a total of twenty kilos. He then attached a spring that compressed Kei's muscles.

-The pressure is immense. Every move you make pulls you down with the force of a car. We're starting at the medium level. We'll spar for an hour, and then you can take it off. The goal is to use the equipment as much as possible. Many decide not to remove it, but it will hurt, it will burn so much that your life will be a real headache, like a disability. - Shiba commented.

-We need to rest, rest is as important as training. - Kei commented.

-Two days of rest every fifteen days. - James said. The training that followed was extreme, to say the least. The cramps in Kei's muscles, along with the mere thought of basic boxing skills, made his muscles burn.

Even in that state, Kei continued to rule the school. No one dared challenge him when his muscles throbbed with pain and his arms felt as heavy as two granite columns. When his hands were tied in gravity-like pins, Kei persisted.

-That's 40,000 straight punches, kid. Hit hard, and let the springs pull you. Keep training without rest. The harder you hit, the more your body will hurt. - Shiba commented, drinking a beer while Kei was drenched in sweat, the springs causing deep pain.

-How do I avoid a kick or a submission? Those are boxing's weaknesses. - Kei commented.

James lifted his head, thinking about how to answer. As a natural boxer, he understood there were two ways to overcome these weaknesses: pre-initiative, predicting the opponent's moves, which required a lot of experience, and special techniques to counter other styles.

-Hit faster. Strike so quickly that your opponent doesn't have time to counter you. - Shiba commented.

They had been training for a month, and Kei felt the power in his movements. The demanding activities continued to push him, but his frustration remained. His movements were polished, but each was just a common punch, lacking meaning. He continued training, recalling a special footwork drill, moving above the rope, and training his movements without holding back.

-More power, boy, and lower your hips. You need strength in every movement. Contrary to some beliefs, a solid stance is better than any other posture. - Shiba commented.

-Move your hips, strike with your body, and put force into your movement. When you throw a straight punch, move your body back. But be careful: strike to one side, but don't neglect your guard. If you throw a punch, make sure not to miss. Measure your opponent and calculate your strike. - Shiba said, turning a page in his magazine.

Meanwhile, Kei kept throwing his punches against the metal bar from all angles.

-Be dirty, kid. I'm teaching you to fight in underground arenas. Hit the back of the head, the groin, hit everywhere... Now we'll do stretches. You need more shoulder mobility. Flexibility will help you fight better. As long as you have mobility and balance, you can strike from any position. - Shiba commented, helping Kei correct his mistakes.

The stretching exercise involved pushing his joints to the limit, a technique learned from Master Takemoto, but Shiba took it to another level. Kei's shoulders had to rotate completely.

The balance exercises were different, performed on moving structures, and sometimes on logs over the river while boxing. Punches without stance, with one leg in the air, or falling on a rope.

-I'm done. - Kei shouted, his punches still strong, completely exhausted.

-Next is the run, kid. Twenty kilometers in half an hour, we need to break the record. Those weights are magnificent. - James commented with a deep smile.

Initially, Shiba would ride on Kei's shoulders, but it was better to use a horse-drawn cart, pulled and stopped by Kei's strength. Shiba used this to laugh at him heartily.

...