underground fights.

three years after the death of Niko Tokita, Ohma's teacher.

Teacher Fukujiro fanned his face in the unbearable heat as students took their time to answer exam questions. Korkyo High School concluded its first semester, with vacation just around the corner. Kei answered questions with an effort to pass, though he was not particularly strong in Japanese or literature.

The bell rang, signaling the end of exams.

-Turn in your exams at the front, and have a great vacation, - Fukujiro commented.

Kei sighed, handing in his exams and eagerly grabbing his backpack to meet Shiba for training. In Class 2, Shogo was back, reinstated at James's request to fulfill his student periods.

-Old tsundere, -Kei remarked upon seeing Shogo, who was being chased by some girls. They walked on, unfazed by the attention, while Tanimoto watched closely, noting the changing dynamic between them—friendship? Berserker seemed unlikely to make friends.

-My dear tool, best friend, - Nijima said, now controlling the school. With Kei's call, Berserker was now his friend, though for Ragnarok, Nijima was merely Kei's tool, not a partner.

-What do you want? Is something wrong? - Kei asked, as Nijima only visited when he needed something.

-Nothing, hahaha. There's a gang meddling with our interests. Could you send them a greeting? They've been acting tough, apparently boasting one of the best judo fighters in high school, some guy named Soso Kanaka, - Nijima commented.

-We'll go, with Shogo, and squeeze every last drop of money they have. It's time to diversify into businesses—you can buy some stocks in their name and place a few bets, - Kei suggested.

Shogo and Kei bid farewell as the school grew quiet. Despite many wanting to challenge Kei's authority, his iron fist kept most people in line. There were two rules: only Kei could be aggressive, and the second rule despised bullying the weak, punishing delinquents by taking their money.

-Interactive teaching - was Kei's way of preventing vandalism, knowing firsthand the hardships of gang life and preferring a school dedicated to education.

-What do you think about the judo champion? - Kei asked.

It doesn't matter, that sounds disgustingly weak. Let's hurry up and get back to training. It's better to spend our time that way, - Shogo commented, Ragnarök's Third Fist.

Now both were at Odin's level, even without Seikuken skills. Shiba's ki was Dou, and he excelled at teaching Shogo. Kei learned many techniques from Shiba, each one perfect for developing his abilities—like the Meteor Fist Attack from a high position, a technique suited for Dou fighters. Kei used a modified version with limited strikes to eight, improving his flexibility.

-How about a competition? You can only use your right hand, and I'll use my left. The one who knocks down fewer opponents buys the drinks, - Kei suggested, eager to push their limits.

-Ha, I hope you have money, - Shogo replied. They arrived at the warehouse where 50 people awaited—some with sticks, others with chains, and some in judo uniforms.

-Damn aliens, - Kei muttered, realizing Nijima had warned them but was nowhere to be found.

-You fools for coming to Soso Kanaka's turf,"- taunted a bald, burly young man, towering over six feet, more delinquent than an athlete.

Ten minutes later.

The warehouse was clear. Kei and Shogo sat atop some of the subdued thugs, catching their breath. Nijima watched from a computer, having set up cameras the night before to monitor the fight. He had even warned of the attack by his men, but the duo's strength surpassed expectations—they were offensive machines. A long laugh escaped Nijima; later, he would find Kei under the Pallui Bridge.

***

James Shiba drank beer with Niko Tokita, happily reunited. As drinks flowed, both seemed intoxicated, but far from enough to incapacitate the two seasoned drinkers.

-Hahaha, you're always so funny, - Shiba chuckled, slapping his legs in joy.

-Well, I've had my share of adventures over the years. When we fought, I was a novice, knew little, and lacked the will to forge my path, - Niko admitted.

Shiba found Niko's modesty deadly, despite his immense power.

-I called you here not just to chat. I have a favor to ask, - Shiba said.

Niko's eyes widened. A favor? James Shiba is asking me for a favor!

-Yes, I'm asking you for a favor, - Shiba replied grumpily, knowing Niko would hold it against him forever.

-Sure, as long as I can do it, I'll help you... What is it? Fighting against a Yakuza organization and sneaking into the nation's largest sake factory to drink until our bodies ache," Niko remarked.

-Haha, I think I'll try the factory part on my own. But I have to say, it's something more important. I have two students, and despite my reluctance to admit it, I've grown fond of these ungrateful brats... There's one in particular who needs the guidance of a fighter like you. I see a lot of confusion in his being; he's almost as arrogant as I am and has several issues with very powerful people, one of whom has information about another Niko, - Shiba explained.

Niko's eyes widened nervously.

-You're talking about... -

-I won't pry into your affairs. I just ask that you train him. He needs guidance from someone who can teach him more than just martial arts, - Shiba said.

Taking a beer, they fell silent, but Niko's thoughts were almost palpable. The other Niko, the bastard he grew up with, was a man bent on killing, hating, and murdering, following nothing but his basic instincts. A sense of unease began to creep into Niko's thoughts.

-I also have a student, though we've only known each other for a short time. He's barely fourteen. The Yakuza mafia asked me to take care of a kid causing some trouble. I was impressed by his will to survive. I think we're in the same boat. I have some friends who can help steer the boy, but some of them are killers or have their complexities. They're not saints, Shiba, - Niko explained.

-I trust Niko, the man who defeated me in single combat, - Shiba stated.

-It's curious that you're asking me and not Ryozampaku. They're closer; in fact, they're the ones responsible for guiding people onto the right path, - Shiba noted.

-Bah, they won't understand Kei as you will, - Shiba commented, grabbing another beer. - You can take him for two months. The kid has the physique to learn any technique, but he lacks composure and fighting experience. -

Niko paused as he took another beer. "He's at the level of a high disciple," he said, seeking Shiba's confirmation that he's very talented for his age and perhaps has what it takes to learn Niko's style. Shiba nodded in agreement.

Minutes later, Kei and Shogo arrived at the bar where the two men were drinking beer. Kei recognized him immediately, but beyond that, he felt an unprecedented power from the man, different from Ogata's—it was a calmness, almost as if he understood life and death unlike anyone else.

...