Authors note:

Hey guys sorry it took so long I've been super busy with school so my schedules crazy I will simply post when I can but this is a pretty long chapter so it should make up for it. Enjoy read review always welcome to new comments questions. enjoy

Ch: 4 dark progress tough choices

Kensei's training facility 2 days later 9:00 pm

It was late in the evening but Kensei was wide awake watching Kenichi who was training hard. it had been one week since his capture and at this point he decided training was the key to keep himself occupied. His training at this point had changed quite a bit the type of training he was used to but the results where seemed a bit faster as well as a bit drastic. Currently he was running on a treadmill with a powerful wind funnel pushing at him with high winds blowing and inside of the wind rubber balls were inside flying in varied directions at Kenichi and the only thing that was keeping him from getting pelted beyond recognition was the seikuken technique which he was maintaining fairly well.

"he is quite impressive wouldn't you agree Odin he has been going at it for more than 5 hours even someone like Thor would've had to stop with the air pressure alone and not to mention his seikuken a very new technique to him and yet he is maintaining it quite well even after the long time and descent level of physical strain on him, though it's not perfect he has been hit with quite a few stray shots what do you think of him right now." Kensei said snickering as the boy in a wheelchair scooted forward with hair pitch white that had changed from its original purple.

"He is a fool but he has amazing drive what is it about him that makes him so strong even in the face of odds he can't beat." Odin thought to himself for a moment before snapping out of his dazed state to answer his master "he's made good progress in one week's time his seikuken is actually quite developed for the amount of time he's had it, it is almost instinctual to him at this point"

Kenichi's body was about to fall but he attempted to power through it for if he didn't he'd be blown away by the air pressure but his bodies strain caused him to lose his calm demeanor his seikuken was broken as the balls began flying at him in high numbers

"master he's going to get pelted to death if all of those hit him stop the wind" Odin said sounding indifferent not allowing his emotion for his former friend turned enemy, turned uneasy friend once more to be shown to his master.

Kensei simply stood watching the boy and began to grin ear to ear as his emotions began to flare for a brief moment "it finally happened" Kensei said watching the boys energy and began to actually attack the balls coming at him with a furry off power ful karate punches muay thai knees and elbows as well as kempo strikesbefore it died down just as suddenly as it appeared and Kenichi was knocked flat on his back .

"that was dou ki but master" odin said only to be interrupted by his teacher "indeed it was I noticed it when he was taking my ki focusing medicine even after taking it his emotions still didn't completely nullify like would traditionally happen with a normal sei type user meaning he has dou like ki inside him."

As they were speaking their conversation was cut short by a sudden realization by Odin " he's unconscious" odin said as he saw kenichi on the floor totally exhausted, they were headed to retrieve the recently knocked out disciple` when in a blur the doors were opened and a girl with shoulder length brown hair with a petite yet curvy frame dressed in what appeared to be a gothic maid outfit rushed in at blinding speed "hi rimis back everyone ryyyuuuuuttoooo where are you"

The girl stopped talking when she saw kenichi lying on the floor she picked him up and slapped him one time to shock him to his senses "wake up you can't just pass out like that on the floor if you're tired go lay down ken-chan"

Kenichi awoke still groggy "sorry Rimi" he said as he walked up the stairs. Kensei then motioned for Odin to go with Kenichi. "atlantae what is your report on or the mission " the man said curious to what the girl had learned

"well master I have been watching the ryouzanpaku dojo and they have gotten candidates to be histories strongest disciple they each have a new disciple and they seem pretty skilled" rimi was curious to why she was asked to watch ryouzanpaku as her master hadn't told her about his current plans or goals "master should we be worried should we"

Her master cur her off and pointed to the door "Atlantae deliver the message to the members of yami immediately"

"But master shouldn't you be the one to deliver it won't they just get mad at rimi" the girl asked

"I have a pressing matter to attend to i need you to handle this" the man said letting his ki flare a bit just to frighten rimi "now"

"Understood master" the girl said running at break neck speed as she ran only one thought was in her mind "aw man I didn't even get to say hi to ryuuto before I left whyyyy"

Kenichi was in his room he had regained consciousness and was simply sitting looking at the few bruises on his arms that had become quite sore he then rubbed his cheek in frustration remembering "why the heck did rimi have to slap me."

Ryuuto chuckled at this a bit "you two seem to have bonded well in your time here in fact in a lot of ways you guys are similar"

Kenichi looked at him for a moment with confusion "me her how so"

"well the two of you were neither people I would've thought to be martial artists, your both high spirited and silly, and above all unlike me" ryuuto frowned for a moment "you both fight for someone you care for rather than just yourselves." Kenichi put his hand on his friend's shoulder understanding that he is currently under a time of self-doubt and confusion.

Kensei then walked into the room "hello there heimdallr may I speak with you for a moment"

Kenichi scowled "must you call me that I'm not one of your Ragnarok group nor am I your disciple" the young boy said having a level of disdain for Kensei after seeing what happened to his childhood friend because of him.

"but the name suits you so well I men I went through so many Bifrost, Wotan but then I found it heimdall the whitest of the gods gate keeper of asgard he who signals for the coming of the gods to man and would keep watch for the onset of the goods said to have keen intellect and senses as well as valor all qualities I've seen in you boy."

"What is it you want kensei Im not in the mood for your games" the boy said frustrated and not interested in dealing with this man he didn't trust

"Well boy I just wanted to tell you some information about ryouzanpaku I thought you might want to know but if you are going to be so disrespectful I just may keep it to myself" kensei gave the illusion he was going to leave before having his arm grabbed by kenichi

"please just tell me about them my friends, my master , miu what is it" Kenichi pleaded knowing it would be bad but needing to hear something of his loved ones.

Kensei smirked "well its quite simple they have replaced you" kenichis eyes shot up his grip loosened at those words "they have each found an individual disciple to pass their skill to all of which are quite talented including your friend takeda"

Kenichi could say nothing he wanted to believe it to be a lie he hoped it was not true "I sent rimi to find out what the masters had planned now that you are gone how they would attempt to retrieve e you, but no need there more preoccupied with yami and their actions so you are not important right now in fact rimi said they would be looking for one of these talented youths to potentially be histories strongest disciple."

Kenichi looked at him with eyes of distrust "your lying I won't let you take away my hope my masters will come to save me they wouldn't just leave me"

"You're so sure there but you it's not surprising I wanted to believe they'd never abandon me either but in the end me someone with natural talent was once a ryouzanpaku disciple but in the end I was cast away you and I are no different it's just how I turned out"

The seed of doubt had been planted in Kenichi he felt like all he may as well be dead but he would never abandon his friends and he wouldn't let kensei manipulate him "I'm nothing like you, you used my friend to test that strange technique of yours, you kidnapped me, you killed, your own classmate for a test, and you follow the killing fist and use martial arts to kill people I use the saving fist

"I regret the life I took during that test greatly, but it is my way these fist of mine take lives and I am strong for it, but you talk of saving those you care for and enforcing your justice on the wicked how will you do that without defeating the enemies that come and facing any opponent you must and in order to do that you must train to unlock your full potential you must be more than a saving fist you must become something new altogether an iron fist with unshakeable resolve who will defeat any who stand in his way"

Kenichi was so confused but a part of him new Kensei's words held some piece if truth he needs to continue his training and if the masters aren't coming anytime soon he truly has no choice "I will not kill no matter what it is you claim to teach me I will never be a killer never be your disciple"

Kensei then completely shut down his Ki leaving him to seem like a peaceful person he smiled "I understand after all we are very different and someone as kind as you would never give up on your masters even if they gave up on you but at least allow me to help continue your training until you see whether you or I is right about your future I studied under akisame, ma Kensei, and the old man I can continue where they left off in your training."

Kenichi was unnerved by what seemed to be kindness from Kensei something he was unsure if he could trust this man but seemed to have no choice "alright please help me continue training oggata but I will not learn kill techniques."

Time skip 5 days later

Kenichi and Odin had both been practicing rigorously there bond had been formed stronger than before and Kenichi's skills had also improved somewhat. On the fifth day kensei had left to get rimi and speak with yami. Leaving Kenichi alone to train among other things, while it was just him and Odin Kenichi thought about running but whenever he did Kensei's words rang in his head "you're gonna abandon your friend again, you've been replaced. " in the end he couldn't find the resolve needed to leave yet.

"ryuuto I'm home" rimi said as they came back early the next day when she saw a figure sitting down she assumed it to be Odin and attempted to tackle him only to knock the force over only to realize "ken-chan you're not ryuto"

"I know he's training I was working on a garden i had made" kenichi said pointing to a strangely flourishing garden that had started growing and thriving here in the facility Kensei had made for Kenichi too occupy his time while he was here and when he was not training.

Rimi then pushed herself off of kenichi upon noticing that for some reason he was shirtless "uh Kenichi you pervert trying to advance on rimi your friends love you beast you" rimi went on a childish tantrum throwing a series of light yet iritating punches

"I was training and got sweaty so I took off the shirt of my gi while I garden it had nothing to do with you" kenichi murmered covering his head

"oh my what a lovely little garden space you have" a young girls voice said which caused rimi to stop and kenichi to notice the petite girl with pink hair in the room she was wearing a full body red suit with bolts all around it.

The girl walked over to the small garden holding a bit of the dirt in her hands she said "the earth here is so rich you truly have a gift with plants I love the dragon lilies they are beautiful"

Kenichi smiled at the girl "thank you I love plants so much I'm Kenichi by the way who are you"

"my name is li raichi I come from china" the girl said smiling kenichi was so glad to have a smiling face around that he never even thought to put two and two together about where she may have come from.

"So heimdallr i actually have a proposition for you" kensei said coming in from the entrance before sealing it tight.

Kenichi a pored the name but it was kinda nice beeing acknowledged as strong. Seeing how ragnarok was full of strong fighters named after norse mythology to be compared to them strangely gave Kenichi a feeling of recognition. "What is it" kenichi said already preparing his answer

"it's really quite simple yami doesn't want you around here if your still on the saving fist but id like to show you the true power utilize you to the best of your ability , so choose either become my true disciple or never see this place again or my techniques and take your chances with yomi," kensei responded

Kenichi stood up from the garden and said "as I've said before said before I won't be a killer I don't have any desire to kill so if that's what it takes then I won't be able to be your disciple I will be leaving the"

Before Kenichi could respond he was dropped by a low kick and was going to crash his head into the garden when a hit to the back kept him balanced "what was that"

"Kenichi Shirihama prepare to meet your fate as an enemy of yomi and yami I li raichi will administer your punishment"

Kenichi proceeded to take a series of attacks from this blonde girl who originally seemed so kind hearted he couldn't bring himself to strike her but he knew he had to do something so he activated his seikuken and proceded to block the attacks but the girls techniques were too low for him to grapple so she continued to attack

"your seikuken won't help you against my drunken fist shirihama I will defeat you and complete my mission" the girl said with fire in her heart but she then noticed something kenichi had dopped low to what seemed like a sitting position.

Kenichi waited for the next attack catching her in a joint lock and restaining her arm the girl struggled to get free "I can sense the uncertanty in your voice you don't want to kill do you" kenichi said

Raichi tensed up at the coment and was speechless "I could see in the way you fight you tried desperatly to avoid hitting those flowers you even balanced me out when I was going to hit them someone who loves the earth like that couldn't desire death.

During the fight kenichi could hear clapping "you have excllent perception kenichi you see raichi here comes from a poor family for her martial arts is a way to put foos on the table in fact her and her father are on mission raichi to kill you and her father to attack the supposed shinpaku alliance to tie up any of my disciples lose ends "

Kenichi's mind was full of worry at those words his grip even tightened on his arm lock "oh no"

"Indeed that is the case he will most likely succeed but li raichi may be disowned for what happened here as she failed to defeat you so what will you do"

Li raichi was prepared to break free even if it broke her arm but before it could happen her arm was free "ok I will be your disciple"

Kensei was shocked at this statement "what are you scared to finish the fight"

"no I'm not but I wish to help me friends as well as her so I will become your disciple in exchange you call off attacks on the shinpaku alliance and raichi can stay here and be taken care of if she is indeed disowned like you said I will put my life and freedom on the line for those I care for"

As raichi stood up hearing these words a tear ran down her eye and she hugged kenichi "thank you for caring"

Kensei smiled "ok ill make the call and understand this means your norse name stays." He said walking towards the two teens "atlatae please find ms raichi a room at least till he father returns"

"yes sir rimi is on it"

"and don't worry kenichi I don't plan to make you a killing fist I intend to make you a walker of the path of the iron fist a path of triumph and justice you will be grand when I am through" kensei said being as dramatic as Siegfried was "now get some rest your true training start tommorow"

Kenichi walked away thinking "what have I just done"

End of ch 4

a/n so yeah it's a bit longer than normal and I hope you enjoyed it I tried to capture everyones behavior pretty well. And I think this is a good plot staple making kenichi his disciple through his deire to help his friends and bring peace rather than his pain or hurt. Next ch we see this last couple of weeks from the shinpaku side leading up to how they deal with li tenom and there will be a special new shinpaku member new post a.s.a.p.