New chapter yaa! I may have gotten distracted with Destiny 2 event thing, but I still managed to write this out! Heads up, for Ragnarok team, I will mostly be calling the Fists by their codenames throughout the story. I mean, if I call Freya by her real name, it might confuse people. It confused me when I tried to write her by her real name throughout the story, so I stuck with the codenames. Only Kisara, Natsu, and Ryuto will be the exceptions, depending on the situation. If Natsu is in Hermit gear, I'll call him Hermit.
Also remember the timeline for this! There were no Iphones and stuff yet, so most of them will be using flipphones!
In a deserted apartment, the Fists of Ragnarok had gathered together for an important meeting; dealing with the rising Shinpaku Alliance.
Sitting on the giant comfy chair was the leader of Ragnarok, the First Fist Asamiya Ryuuto, a.k.a. Odin. To his right was the Second Fist Shougo Kitsukawa, or more commonly known and preferably named Berserker, along with the Third Fist Kugatachi Kaname, a.k.a. Freya. These three were known as the Three of Cards, only taking direct orders from the man only known as Kensei.
To Odin's left was the Fourth, Fifth, and Seventh Fists: Kyoichi Takame a.k.a. Loki, Hibiki Kugenin a.k.a. Siegfried, and Chiaki Yuma a.k.a. Thor.
The Sixth Fist, Tanimoto Natsu a.k.a. Hermit, and the Eighth Fist, Nanjo Kisara, now also known as Valkyrie, were absent from the meeting, as the first one had some prior engagements with his corporation while the latter was dealing with other gangs trying to move in on their turf as well as being punished for letting her whole crew suffer defeat.
"So, the Shinpaku Alliance," Odin muttered, "A rather explosive team. Just barely created, and they already took out Kisara's company and also took in a few well-known names, such as Takeda the Puncher."
Berserker merely chewed on his gum, as he didn't care about weaklings gathering together.
"What should we do about them?" Freya asked, "Shall I deploy the Valkyries to take care of this personally?" She was, of course, referring to her unit of 8 girls that wielded weapons, and not Kisara.
"No need," Loki said, coming forward with a plan, "I was recently contacted by a past client who wants Takeda out of the picture. Funny thing is that he'll be the poor soul that's been my target twice now. This easily plays into my other plan to check out and destroy the Shinpaku alliance."
"Disgusting," Thor commented before turning back to practice his palm strikes.
Siegfried was merely humming and writing out music, as usual, taking notes of all this meeting inside his head.
"Alright, I'll leave it to you Loki," Odin commanded, "However...bring me more information about Shirahama Kenichi. I have a vague feeling I've seen him."
"Whatever you say boss," Loki shrugged, "But I gotta do my other job first. Client's paying me double to make sure Takeda won't be coming back into boxing. I'll probably do it this Friday."
Loki left as the others stayed to discuss other expansion plans. As the meeting ended, Odin called out to Siegfried.
"I've noticed your music tone seems to have changed," Odin noted as he gave a quick glance on the music score, "It used to be more dark and dramatic. Now it feels like it has a lighter tone."
"Thank you for noticing!" Siegfried sang, "I've been experimenting on some different music lately due to my classes! My professor told me to expand my repertoire, so I'm attempting on some new tones!"
"I see," Odin said, "Well, continue on."
Siegfried left while spinning, getting far away from them before having his personal butler pick him up to take him back to the mansion. It was only when he arrived into his room did he allow a cold sweat to break out.
"Too close," Siegfried sighed, "To think Odin noticed my recent changes. My demon lord was right when he predicted Odin would get suspicious. It looks like my time with Ragnarok is nearing to an end. But first, I must inform him of Loki's plans!"
Niijima was working on upgrading the security of the Shinpaku website when he got Siegfried's message.
"This Friday, eh?" Niijima pondered, wondering if he should involve Kenichi in this.
"Nah, I got this," Niijima grinned, "He and Miu have a date on Friday. I shouldn't disrupt them, like a good friend. Though if it happens to be right next to their location, then it's not my fault."
Niijima cackled as he began to plan out what to do as Kenichi's worst best friend. As he began planning, he received a text from Takeda telling him that Koetsuji had declared him fully recovered and able to dive into boxing full time. Takeda wanted Niijima to fulfill his promise for joining Shinpaku and get him a master in boxing. All the boxing gyms that he went to didn't have the right feel and he was running out of gyms to go through in his area.
"Hmm, I can work with this," Niijima smirked as he flipped his phone open to dial a certain number.
Two rings later, a gruff voice could be heard and a shadowy figure answered it.
"What do you want brat?" growled the voice.
"Now, now, is that any way to speak to your landlord?" Niijima cackled.
"Land lord my ass," shouted the voice, "I was living here just fine! The JR company didn't bother with me until you somehow bought the land!"
"Hey, they would've done something sooner or later," Niijima replied, "Haven't you been chased by several thugs already?"
"They were just cannon fodder," scoffed the voice, "Nothing would've happened until you suddenly bought the land and pulled some weird legal bullshit on me."
"Ah, but I'm letting you live there without having to pay for anything," Niijima giggled, "I'm not blackmailing you. All I did was show you what I could do, but instead, I asked for one favor in the future and you get the deeds to the land."
"At the expense for-" shouted the voice before stopping and sighing, "Just...what do you want?"
"I need you at Rikkon Cafe at Friday after three," Niijima ordered, "There will be quite a bit of cannon fodder for you to beat up and brush that rust off. And a potential disciple for you."
"Hmph, I don't take disciples," growled the voice.
"I believe you'll be interested in this one," Niijima said, "You can bet your mustache on that."
"Hoho! To think you would wager my manly stache!" laughed the voice as the camera panned out to reveal the man's mustache, which had been drooping, to suddenly stand up straight, "So is this a wager then? That one look at that anonymous person and I will take him or her in?"
"Of course not," Niijima snapped, "However, I will bet that when that person sees you in action, he or she will be begging to be your disciple. And through his/her tenacity, you'll cave in."
"You should know, boy, that I can be very stubborn," replied the voice.
"Well, so can the other person," Niijima responded dryly.
"Then shall we wager on this?" asked the voice, "I will bet my stache!"
"Knowing you, you'd say you would shave it off and just cut a tiny bristle off," Niijima said, rolling his eyes as he remembered how the man backed out on a bet, "No wagers. But do be there, or I will be forced to take...more direct approaches."
"Tch fine! I'll be there," roared the voice, hanging up on Niijima.
"Well, well, I believe I will be giving Takeda his old master soon enough," Niijima smirked, "And much earlier in the timeline, too. That should give him more than enough time to be able to handle the more powerful opponents in the Desperate Fight of Disciples."
At the other end of the line, James Shiba scoffed as he laid down on his futon, muttering about damn brats and their outrageous ways.
Days passed and on Thursday, as Niijima was putting his shoes in his locker, he noticed a letter in his locker. The letter was from Loki, telling Niijima to come to Rikkon Cafe to talk peacefully.
"Hoo, Loki wants to kill two birds with one stone," Niijima smirked, "Well, then, won't he be surprised? Of course, knowing Loki, he's sending a decoy. Or maybe not, as he's taking out Takeda at the same breath."
"Yo," Kenichi waved as he arrived with Miu, "What's with the letter?'
"Oh nothing," Niijima said, quickly putting it in his bag.
Kenichi narrowed his eyes before quickly running through the dates in his mind.
"Is it Loki?" Kenichi whispered, remembering it was roughly about time for that.
"Shh, not here," Niijima replied, "We'll talk more after school at one of my secret bases."
Kenichi narrowed his eyes but nodded.
They soon found themselves in one of the secret hideouts Niijima had purchased near Koryo High School. This one was less equipped than the one they used in the past but was good enough to have a small discussion.
"So, it is Loki," Kenichi stated, "He wants to have the 'peaceful' talk?"
"Yea, but there's something else," Niijima replied, "Apparently, he wants to meet up at Rikkon's cafe, not Matsue Lark like last time."
"What changed?" Kenichi asked, "What did you do?"
"I...may have told Takeda to contact his old friend Akeshita," Niijima hesitated, "He didn't last time."
"Why would you do that?" Miu asked curiously.
"Because the circumstances of his injury are too suspicious," Niijima explained, "Bear with me. Takeda gets a call from his 'best friend' Akeshita that he was in trouble and surrounded by delinquents. Akeshita used a payphone to call for help before being dragged away. Problem one with that, why would his ambushers allow Akeshita to use a payphone at all? If it was a cellphone maybe, but the fact they let him in to make the call is suspicious."
Seeing Kenichi and Miu nod and allowing him to continue, Niijima took a breath, "Takeda ran out to help, which when he told me, took him roughly three minutes to get there. And yet Akeshita didn't really seem all that injured according to Takeda's description. Problem two, how is Akeshita not that injured when we know he was dragged out of the phone booth? We know there were several of them all ganging up on Akeshita, and I doubt he's strong enough to take care of all of them. When Takeda arrived, the two of them fight against what I'm told is at least fifteen and were clearly defeated. So that would mean Akeshita should've gone down before Takeda even arrived."
Miu and Kenichi weren't liking where this was going but continued to listen on.
"Finally, when the dust clears, only Takeda was seriously injured. Akeshita walked away with mere bruises. Also as a man whom Takeda called almost like a brother, Akeshita didn't bother trying to help Takeda. He took him to see one general doctor and left him. The third problem, why not see a specialist? Why not seek other opinions? Takeda may have been fooled to believe that the doctor was a specialist and gave up there and then. Knowing you Kenichi, you would've gone and sought out other doctors."
"And after that, Akeshita just completely ignored Takeda, rising in fame in the boxing ring," Niijima finished.
"But why?" Kenichi hissed, uncomfortable with the fact that Takeda's injury was by betrayal.
"Who knows?" Niijima shrugged, "Perhaps jealousy? Fear of being eclipsed by his friend? Takeda was the first one to pass the boxing test and was seen as a rising rookie. Akeshita didn't get as much fame as Takeda did. And I have a feeling that doctor was paid off or blackmailed."
Kenichi's fist tightened in anger as he closed his eyes.
"What happened to keeping the timeline the same?" Miu asked, "You yourself warned us not to make any drastic changes in case we couldn't predict it."
"A calculated risk," Niijima said, "I went over the scenario myself and have decided that it would only benefit us in the long run and yet still within my predictions. Plus, I plan to have Takeda meet James Shiba earlier than he did in the old timeline."
"How!?" Miu and Kenichi shouted.
"Oh you poor fools," Niijima cackled, "With all this future knowledge, I have become richer than I expected to be! The Shinpaku Alliance will rise greater than before!"
Kenichi and Miu both slapped him to bring him down to earth. However, they both felt a small shiver as they knew with Niijima's knowledge of the future and his personality, he could predict and direct whatever he wanted more than they could. It would be their responsibility to make sure Niijima didn't become a total control freak.
"Speaking of which, Takeda will be coming with me to Rikkon Cafe," Niijima said, quickly changing subjects, "Akeshita invited him to eat there to 'celebrate' his full recovery."
"We'll be there," Miu said with a determined fire in her eyes.
"Na, I got this," Niijima waved off, "I have a plan, I always have plans. Plus, you two are supposed to be going on a date tomorrow, aren't you? Hoping to get a bit more intimate maybe?"
As Kenichi and Miu blushed, Niijima cackled. It was to be expected. Including the years from this timeline and the old one, Kenichi and Miu had been dating for roughly eleven years now. Add the years from their old timeline, they were all roughly 28 years old mentally. Though Niijima wasn't affected due to the fact that his ambitions pushed all those useless thoughts away.
"Here, you can use this secret base," Niijima said, pointing to a specific point on the map that was near Rikkon Cafe, "If you're so worried about me, you won't be far away."
"Jerk, I could care less," Kenichi huffed, though already mentally memorizing the place. The two of them did want to just spend time cuddling and perhaps watching a movie without distraction. The Elder was off in the North this time, and the other masters had other business to do, allowing them to have some time to themselves.
Friday afternoon rolled on by, and both Niijima and Takeda were at the Rikkon cafe waiting.
"Why are you here again?" Takeda asked.
"Because I have a meeting here," Niijima replied, "Since I figured you were coming anyway, I'd use you as a bodyguard."
Takeda began muttering a few choice curse words before Loki showed up and sat down right in front of them.
"Loki!" Takeda shouted, surprised the Fourth Fist of Ragnarok was here.
"Ah Takeda the Puncher," Loki smiled, "I have a meeting with your leader, Haruo Niijima of the Shinpaku Alliance."
"Yes, yes, let's get this meeting going," Niijima said while leaning back on his seat, "What do you want?"
"Hmph, so confident," Loki said, "I can't believe you didn't even bother to think that I was planning to ambush you. Well, this meeting has two purposes. One is to crush the Shinpaku Alliance here and now, and the other...well, my client has paid me good money to make sure both of Takeda's arms are crippled beyond repair this time around."
Takeda immediately jumped out of his seat, getting into a fighting position. With a snap of Loki's finger, delinquents surrounded them all.
"I hope you recognize them," Loki drawled to Takeda, "It took me quite some time to find them."
Takeda's eyes narrowed before widening in shock as he took in the view. Most of them had been the ones that he had fought with Akeshita before that dreadful incident.
"So, trying to awaken my trauma for leaving Ragnarok?" Takeda growled as he got ready, "I'm not scared. I've improved over the years, and can easily take them."
"I wonder if you can if I let you know just why you suffered that injury," Loki laughed, causing Takeda to freeze.
"Have you ever wondered why you had such a crippling injury while your friend was left with mere scratches? How you went to see a 'specialist' just for him to declare it crippled and incapable of being cured while some other doctor managed to do it? How he left you in the dust?" Loki asked as Takeda began to shake in anger and fright.
"Easy! He-" Loki started, only for Niijima to interrupt him.
"Akeshita set Takeda up and asked for your help, didn't he?" Niijima yawned.
"Hoo, your information network isn't too shabby if you knew this," Loki complemented in surprise.
"You knew?" Takeda hissed.
"Only after Kenichi told me about your story," Niijima replied as he stood up, "Unfortunately, he tends to believe in the best of everyone. That's why I'm here because I don't. I, as his worst best friend, do the dirty work and find out what's hidden behind everything. I was suspicious and investigated. That specialist you saw Takeda, that was Akeshita's second cousin whom he bribed. If you had seen any other doctor, they would've told you it was fixable, though I bet they would involve surgery, unlike Koetsuji Akisame. As for the reason why it's probably because he was afraid Takeda's talent would eclipse his."
"So you know the truth. So what? That doesn't change your situation," Loki cackled as the delinquents grinned, each of them wielding a metal pole or some sort of weapon, "Your so call friend Akeshita has paid us to make sure you'll never return to the ring again. No Kenichi to save you today!"
Takeda began to get a cold sweat as he looked around, ready to fight for his life when he heard a small chuckle from Niijima. It stopped everyone cold as Niijima's laugh became louder and more pronounced.
A vein started to pulse on Loki's forehead. "What are you laughing at!?" Loki shouted.
"Oh you dumb fool," cackled Niijima, "You think I'd just walk into the obvious and poor attempt of an ambush? Let me show you what a real ambush is!"
"You're bluffing!" shouted Loki, "I have men on the lookout for any of your members! There have been no reports of any Shinpaku members even remotely close to here!"
"Well then, let's see who's hand is bigger, mine or yours," said Niijima as he snapped his finger.
"So these are the runts I have to take care of?" questioned a towering voice from behind one of the grunts.
They all turned around and had to look up to see a tall muscular man with blonde hair, an eyepatch over his right eye, ripped sleeveless vest, and the manliest mustache in existence. At least, according to James Shiba himself.
"Ha, who's this old geezer!?" laughed a grunt, "You hired this crippled idiot to protect you! Old man, you look like you're already heading towards the grave! Let me help you get there faster!"
The grunt brought his arm back to swing his metal pole when Shiba got into a fighting pose that Takeda was all too familiar with. It was a typical boxing pose! Before the grunt even swung, a right jab sent the grunt flipping in the air. It was so fast with no visible motion on Shiba's elbow or shoulder, making it a motionless jab that was impossible to predict. Not that being able to see it would matter, as while the punch was too fast for the grunt or any of them to see really, there was also a lot of power behind it.
Before any of the other delinquents could move, Shiba was already upon them. Takeda gazed in awe at the man's fighting style, using only his fists to fight. Just pure boxing, just like Takeda wanted to learn.
"What is this!?" screeched Loki as Shiba easily dispatched the last of his grunts.
"Now then, for the coup de grace," huffed Shiba as he prepared his fist.
"Wait!" shouted Takeda, getting in between the two, "This one's mine."
As Takeda got into his boxing stance, Shiba merely raised an eyebrow before turning around and started looting the unconscious body for money.
"You may have gotten lucky, but do you really think you can defeat me, Loki of Ragnarok, the Fourth Fist!?" shouted Loki.
"Let's find out," grinned Takeda as he charged forward.
"Wait!" shouted Loki as he put his hand inside his jacket, surprising Takeda as he stopped midpunch.
"So I can take out this baton!" cackled Loki as he drew one out to hit Takeda with a horizontal slash.
Takeda ducked right under it and smirked as he prepped up for one of his signature moves. Using the power from his knees, he fired his Ultra Bolo Punch, a huge uppercut to Loki's chin, sending him flying up into the air before collapsing on the ground.
"So he's the one?" whispered Shiba to Niijima, who nodded, "Eh, not bad. But I still don't see him as a possible disciple."
"Now let's see that face of yours," said Takeda as he pulled off the goggles that Loki had, "Wait a minute, you aren't Loki!"
"So he sent a fake," sighed Niijima, "How typical."
"Haha, Loki-sama would actually waste time on you?" shouted the fake Loki, "I am just one of-"
"Yea, yea, one of his many shadows," interrupted Niijima, "And I'm betting his little female assistant Toko Amada, a.k.a. number 20, is recording all this right over there."
As Niijima pointed to a corner, a girl meeped and quickly ran away.
"How did you-" started the fake Loki, but was knocked unconscious as Niijima began to tap dance on his head.
"So we done?" asked Shiba.
"The deed's under your name now," nodded Niijima.
Shiba grunted and turned around to leave when Takeda quickly rushed out in front of him and kowtowed in front of him, begging for him to take him as a disciple.
"Mmm let me think about it," said Shiba, "No. I don't take disciples."
"Please?" begged Takeda as he latched onto Shiba's left leg.
"Let go!"
"Not until you say yes!"
Shiba finally shook Takeda off his legs and ran away. Takeda tried to get up to follow but lost sight of him.
"Don't worry, I'll tell you where he lives," smirked Niijima, "I've fulfilled my end the bargain, don't you say? Now it's all up to you to convince him to take you in as a disciple."
"Of course!" shouted Takeda, "I'll sit in front of his house seiza style until he accepts me as his disciple all day!"
Just as Takeda was about to leave, he turned around to Niijima, "Did you have back up plans?"
"Course I did," scowled Niijima, "Take a look at that building across from us. And the corner right over there."
Takeda looked across the building to see Kenichi and Miu waving, ready to intervene when necessary. And around the corner came Ukita, looking a bit confused but dragging someone with him. Takeda's eyes narrowed as he saw it was Akeshita.
"You," hissed Takeda.
"Don't believe what they say, I had nothing to do with it!" exclaimed Akeshita, "They'll all lying! Why would I betray my best friend, a brother I never had!?"
"Then tell me straight up," glared Takeda, "In front of my face. Tell me that you didn't pay those delinquents to cripple me, and then have a doctor lie to me about my injury. Tell me that today, when you invited me for tea, that it wasn't another plan to make sure I would never return to the boxing ring."
As Ukita let Akeshita go, he stood up and stared at Takeda face to face and swore it. A few seconds passed before Takeda sighed, "Alright."
"So you believe me!" grinned Akeshita.
"Hell no," said Takeda before socking Akeshita right in the nose with a left straight, "It's been awhile, but you could never lie to me. You have a tendency to twitch your left eye when you lie, and your right pinky curls up. You were shit on poker against me, and you still haven't changed those habits."
Akeshita stood up in anger and was about to fight back when Takeda shook his head and waved his finger.
"Tsk, tsk, you're a pro now. Getting into a fight right now would ban you from your career. Especially since you're so close to a title match."
Akeshita froze before clenching his fist in anger and stomping away.
"Geez what a horrible guy," commented Ukita, "Guess it's hard to tell who's a good guy or not."
"He was," sighed Takeda, "But I guess as time went by, he grew to fear me. We used to spar, and I would pretty much win, 8 to 2. Guess he got jealous. I could've gone without the 'crippling' arm and all that, but looking at things now, if I had a choice, I'd still stick with the same choices. It's led me to some real friends."
He waved at Kenichi and Miu, who waved back.
"Guess we'll let Kenichi and Honey continue their date," said Takeda, "Glad they took their date time to watch over this. Though why are you here Ukita?"
"Err well I got this love note telling me to come to Rikkon Cafe. I looked around to see someone with long black hair running away as I read the note. I was walking here when I heard the commotion, and caught the Akeshita dude as he ran into me," said Ukita as he blushed.
"Err Ukita, this is Rikkon Cafe," said Takeda.
"What!?"
The two of them looked over to Niijima, who was now wearing a very familiar long black wig as a Choju Giga bunny adopted the same disguise.
"Oh my, were you looking for me?" cackled Niijima.
Ukita figured out what had happened and began to chase after Niijima, who ran away cackling.
"Guess I'll go comfort Ukita after," chuckled Takeda as he began to chase after them, "Though I wonder if he still remembers that Shiratori is a girl."
"Well that worked out," said Miu as she drank her sweet tea.
"I'm surprised Niijima got James Shiba out here," shivered Kenichi, "I keep forgetting how cunning he is, and just how much deadlier he is with all this future knowledge now."
"Let's worry about that later," smiled Miu as she began pulling Kenichi towards a secret base, "I want to watch a movie and cuddle with you."
"Aye aye!" cheered Kenichi, becoming very obedient.
Somewhere in the North the Elder shivered as if forgetting something very important.
"Loki-sama, I've recorded everything from the meeting," said Number 20, "Sound has been dubbed by the bug."
"Oh, thanks," said the real Loki, tossing away the wire puzzle he had just solved, "And I hate to ask, but could you buy me a wire puzzle that is more difficult than the one I just solved?"
"Aye aye!" said Number 20 as she gave him the CD.
Loki noticed her hands were shaking and took a glance to see her sweating. It couldn't be from the heat, as his room had the AC on, and the temperature wasn't that high, to begin with outside. No, this was a cold sweat, one made from fear.
"Whats wrong?" asked Loki, "And don't lie, I can tell that your shaking."
"Just...watch the video," sighed Number 20.
Loki raised an eyebrow and did as told. As he finished, he leaned back in his chair to contemplate his plans.
"So they have access to someone who seems insanely strong," mused Loki, "And from the looks of it, he's a boxer, which is perfect for Takeda the puncher. Is Shinpaku Alliance a group where each captain has a master? This could be troublesome. Out of the Fists of Ragnarok, only Odin gets special training from Kensei-sama. None of us have actually met him, despite the promises. Maybe it's time I implemented my alternate plan for Ragnarok."
He never knew that all his plans, his actions, were all laid down by Niijima already, his path guided by Niijima's cunning plans.
Days passed as Ragnarok and other small gangs attacked Kenichi in order to make a name for themselves, only to be beaten back easily. According to their notes on the old timeline, this would've been when Niijima was kidnapped by Loki and Siegfried. However, seeing that Siegfried was loyal to Niijima while the other was trying to plan out an alternate plan to deal with the Shinpaku Alliance with the showing of James Shiba, they had some free time. So in the meantime, Kenichi and Miu would train while Niijima...did whatever he did to further his goals.
Shinnosuke Tsuji had challenged Kenichi once more, with his two loyal friends as witnesses, only to be destroyed again. It was then he declared that his gang would be disbanding and leaving Ragnarok, telling Kenichi to prepare himself as he was going to immerse himself into training to catch up. His loyal friends would join him into the mountains to train. It was 'convenient' that they had won a lottery for a camp set and a bus voucher to a specific mountain, courtesy of Niijima.
"So why are you here?" asked Kenichi one day as he was running for his life on a human sized hamster wheel with various weights strapped on his body.
"Don't ask," growled Natsu as he was also in another one running for his life with weights concentrated on strengthening his joints.
"Hush kids, less chating more running," said Akisame as his whip snapped between the two.
"This should make Miu happy, as it'll cut down the electric bill," remarked Kensei while reading his perverted magazine.
"Mmm this is relaxing," said the Elder as he sat on a new massage chair that Akisame had made, one powered by one of three wheels. The third wheel was occupied by Miu, who was also taking this chance to train a bit more.
"Hehehe, that looks fun!" giggled Honoka and Kaede as they were playing with Apachai and Shigure once more.
The reason why the Tanimoto siblings were actually here? It was because Kaede was back for a check up to make sure there was nothing wrong, and Natsu needed some advice on part of the new technique Sogetsu had given him. He felt like he was doing the steps correctly, but wasn't generating enough force. Kensei took one look at the technique before strapping the weights on him and tossing him on the hamster wheel, telling him to run to build up the necessary muscles for it.
"I win!" cheered Kaede as she drew the winning tile in the Mah Jong game they were playing.
"Apapa, I lose again!" cried Apachai.
"Man I was close," pouted Honoka, "Let's play Othello this time!"
"Apapa, but I always lose," pouted Apachai.
"Man, you're always losing to these brats," chuckled Sakaki as he walked over, "Here, let me show you how to win in Othello."
"Mmm Uncle Short Ma!" called out Kaede, giving Kensei that nickname as he was the shorter one. Kensei didn't mind the name and answered to it.
"Play Mah Jong with me!" asked Kaede, "I beat your older brother all the time!"
"Well, I can't refuse such a request," smiled Kensei, "But be warned, I'm much better than my brother!"
"A hundred yen that both masters lose?" Kenichi whispered to Natsu and Miu.
"Suckers bet," replied both.
A few minutes later
"Hahahahahahahahahaha!" laughed Sakaki and Kensei for a bit before kneeling down in anguish, "How did we get slaughtered so badly!?"
"You both are worse than Apachai," declared both girls, causing them to spiral down in further anguish.
"Akisame avenge us!" begged Sakaki.
"I...err...am busy training," said Akisame while giving Kenichi a look asking if he would lose against them. Kenichi thought about it and nodded in reply.
Taking that as a warning that he would horribly lose against these prodigies, Akisame left it at that.
"Boo, boo!" shouted Sakaki and Kensei, but Akisame ignored them.
Natsu and Kaede both left before it was getting dark, along with Kenichi and Honoka, as he was walking her home. They said their goodbyes and split off towards home.
While Kenichi was talking with Honoka, a teenager walked by them and did a double take before snapping a photo of the two.
"Hehehe, this is one weakness Loki-sama can use!" grinned the teenager before dashing off.
Summer Vacation ended, and Kenichi was in the actual meeting room of the Shinpaku Alliance eating with Takeda, Ukita, and Niijima while Miu was with her gymnastics club after school.
"Huh, got mail from the Shinpaku Alliance website," blinked Niijima as he drank from a conical flask from the chemistry department. The others were had been notified about the website and the pictures, causing Takeda and Ukita to be upset. Niijima managed to convince them via Niijima brainwashing that it was a good idea, followed by pounds of logic. Kenichi had long given up controlling that aspect of Niijima.
"Is that even safe or sanitary?" asked Ukita, staring at Niijima, or more accurately, the drink that he was drinking from, as it was letting out gas.
"I gave up trying to understand that," sighed Takeda as he started to flex his arms a bit. Takeda was eager to go find James Shiba and beg to be his disciple. He could tell that James was at least near the level of Kenichi's masters.
"Let's see what's up," shrugged Niijima as he opened it, "Let's see, blah blah nice to meet you, blah blah so moved, blah blah Officer from Ragnarok, they call me Loki."
"Aww so she's called Loki-chan," blushed Ukita, thinking it was a girl, as did Takeda.
A Choju Giga bird flew over the two before they realized just who it was and almost screamed.
"He's entered the chat room," notified Niijima, not too shocked though curious why Loki would be contacting them.
"Is Shirahama Kenichi there?"-Loki.
Niijima took a glance at Kenichi, who nodded in reply.
"He's here,"-Niijima.
"Let's settle this business of Shinpaku Alliance now."-Loki.
"I'm waiting at the abandoned church on the 3rd district, near the school."-Loki
"Come alone,"-Loki
"It's obviously a trap," sneered Niijima, though he was uncomfortable with the deja vu he was sensing, as did Kenichi.
"Oh look, he sent an attachment," noted Takeda.
Slightly shaking, Niijima opened it for all of them to see a photo of Honoka and Kaede being tied up, with Honoka trying to bite Loki's arm off.
"Do you care what will happen to your little sister and her friend?"-Loki.
"That bastard," growled Takeda before feeling a chill come over the room. Ukita found himself having a hard time breathing as he looked at Kenichi.
"Oy, Kenichi, reign in that Ki," snapped Niijima, surprising both Takeda and Ukita. The two teenagers didn't know that Niijima had already dealt with Ki levels at Advanced Grand Master level.
Kenichi breathed in and out slowly, lowering the tension in the room before dashing out of the door.
"After him!" said Takeda, quickly running out with Ukita.
Niijima quickly grabbed his phone and dialed to his loyal servant.
"Hello my demon lord," said Siegfried after half a beep.
"Siegfried, did you know about Loki's plan to kidnap someone!" snapped Niijima.
"I was unaware of such crude tactics," replied Siegfried, "All Loki has told us is that he has a plan to crush Shinpaku and make sure the 'one-eyed bastard' doesn't show up. He has told me, Thor, and Valkyrie that he carries orders from Kensei-sama himself."
"Get to the abandoned church on the 3rd district near Koryu High," commanded Niijima, "Loki just kidnapped my assault commander's little sister. I think it's time for you to show your true colors."
"As you will it," replied Siegfried, ending the phone call while spinning away and singing.
Natsu was in his nice persona speaking with classmates in the classroom when Kenichi barged in, apologized to the others, and dragged Natsu away.
"Did you know!?" hissed Kenichi.
Natsu was about to snap back when he noticed Kenichi's behavior was rather erratic.
"Know what?" asked Natsu.
"Did you know Loki's plan to kidnap my sister!" roared Kenichi.
"What?" blinked Nastu.
"And you even involved your little sister in it too!"
"WHAT!?" roared Natsu in anger and in Hermit mode, "I've made sure Ragnarok stayed the hell away from my sister! She doesn't know that aspect of my life, and Ragnarok doesn't know about my little sister either! Loki at most suspects I have a sibling, but doesn't know how old or gender."
"So you don't know then," said Kenichi.
"Like I said, know what!?" growled Hermit.
"That Loki just kidnapped Honoka and Kaede," piped Niijima, suddenly appearing before them.
Hermit twitched before slapping Kenichi's hands off him and ran out, Kenichi swiftly following him.
"Geez they're fast," gasped Takeda, "Not something I expected from the pretty boy though."
"Oh, you don't know do you?" said Niijima nonchalantly, "That was Hermit."
"WHAT!?"
Miu had finished with her gymnastics club as was heading to meet up with Kenichi when she saw him and Hermit running out the gates of the school.
"Weird, why did Kenichi and Natsu leave so fast?" pondered Miu.
"Miu, emergency!" shouted Niijima as he got out of the school building, followed by Ukita and Takeda, "Somehow, Honoka and Kaede got kidnapped by Loki. Location at the abandoned church on the 3rd district near Koryu High"
Miu nodded and ran towards the destination. The others took off too, trying their best to catch up to Miu, but she pulled away, along with Niijima somehow.
"I need to do more roadwork," Takeda panted as he saw the two pull ahead, "How is Honey so fast? And how is Niijima just as fast with that damn laugh of his! He's not one to fight!"
Indeed, as they had been running, the only reason they didn't get lost was that Niijima had been laughing the whole time while running, and was following that as a guide.
"I dunno, some sort of special breathing technique," said Ukita as he took in huge gulps of air, "That damn alien never made sense to me."
"Just to let you know, I'm blaming you for this," hissed Hermit as he changed into his Hermit gear while running. He had most of his gear in his backpack already, and the black shirt was under the sweater he had been wearing.
"How is this my fault?" growled Kenichi.
"My sister got involved with your sister, who is involved with you, which you decided to fight Ragnarok."
"You're part of Ragnarok! If anything, it's your fault that your damn group kidnapped her!"
The two squabbled until they reached the church, where they decided to postpone their argument and agree on one thing. Loki was going down hard.
Loki was whistling a tune while his lovely assistant Number 20 and one of Loki shadow members, the slightly tubby version of him, were holding Honoka and Kaede. Though they weren't completely tied up, their mouths were gagged. In addition, both of them were holding a knife to their necks as well as holding a rope that bound their hands.
"And the man of the show arrives!" cackled Loki as he saw Kenichi break through the gates, though frowned when he saw Hermit.
"Hermit! What are you doing here!" shouted Loki, "Did you decide to interfere with my plans? Kensei-sama will know about this!"
"You have my little sister hostage," shouted Hermit, "Of course I'm going to come and kick your ass!"
Loki blinked as he looked over to see Kaede glaring at him.
"Well...this just got awkward," blinked Loki, "Wait, you knew that our enemy Shirahama Kenichi had a sister, and you didn't tell us!?"
"Why would I?" stated Hermit coldly, "I leave Ragnarok out my personal life for reasons."
"Well whatever," shrugged Loki, "I didn't get to tell you, but Kensei-sama himself has given me the reigns to take care of the Shinpaku Alliance. So either get out of here or help beat the shit outta him. Don't worry, your little sister will be safe as long as you follow my orders, or rather Kensei-sama's orders."
With a snap of Loki's finger, the rest of his team, Loki's shadow, appeared out, all wielding their shock batons.
Kenichi began to get ready before Loki shook his hand, "Na ah ah, you stand still and let my precious shadows beat you up. With this, you'll learn never to cross Ragnarok again. My shadows and I are quite peeved about failing to kidnap your little sister three times. Though I admit Hermit's little sister was just a bonus and just happened to be there on our fourth attempt."
"Fourth attempt?" asked Kenichi as he steeled his body with the Sanchin stance while also raising his organs into his rib cage with the special karate breathing technique Naizuage.
"I'd...rather not talk about those attempts," coughed Loki, "Anyways beat him up!" (See Omake for attempts!)
Honoka and Kaede tried to scream for them to stop but were unable to voice their pleas. Kenichi took the shocks and hits without yelling at all, thinking that it was quite sad that he was used to the hits and shocks thanks to Akisame's training machines.
Kaede sent a pleading look to her brother to help Kenichi, to which he merely clenched his fist in helplessness.
"Kenichi!" shouted Miu as they managed to arrive, though Ukita had to carry Niijima due to the holy powers of the church weakening him.
"Don't move," commanded Loki, causing them all to pause, "Otherwise the girls get it."
The fat Loki and Number 20 grinned menacingly as they pointed their daggers at the struggling girls.
When Number 20 asked why Hermit was so loyal to Kensei's words, Loki went into a narrative of how Kensei was the one was saved Hermit when he was younger, and how in his inherited company, the adults were taking advantage of the void of power his father had and stealing everything they could. In the end, Hermit had hired someone to help make sure the outflow of money would stop, only to find himself betrayed by whom he thought he could trust, thus making him jaded with almost everyone. It was only thanks to Kensei, who was traveling by, that Kaede wasn't left an only child.
"Hoo, he's pretty tough if he's still standing," noted Loki as he looked at Kenichi, who hadn't made any noise while the batons were whacking him and shocking him, "Stab that baton in his eye! That'll make him scream!"
Before the shadows could follow that order, Niijima sprang into action, playing a small flute he had hidden.
"What was that for?" giggled Number 20 in confusion as two shadows from the very top of the building leaped down.
Suddenly, the ground shook behind Number 20 and fat Loki. Before they could react, fat Loki was slammed with a palm strike to the face, sending him flying to the side while Number 20 swung her knife around to whoever was behind her, only for the opponent to spin along her attack and counterattack by whipping his hand right into her ribs.
"DOSUKO!"
"Fortissimo!"
Thor and Siegfried had arrived, freeing the girls from their captors.
"Wh-" started Loki, but he didn't get the chance to finish.
Kaede and Honoka were both looking for vengeance, and since they had been freed and the main villain was distracted, they struck out on Loki. Honoka swung with her right fist with all her strength she had gained from playing tennis, swinging upwards with a three-quarter uppercut or smash. Kaede twisted her whole body like she saw her brother did before and also what Uncle Big Ma had taught her, visualizing her hit would smash her enemy. She used her left hand as it was the easiest hand to use to hit her target.
Both attacks launched upwards, and due to Loki's height while standing and their height...their attacks smashed into Loki's crotch.
Everyone froze as they watched the girls attack land. Even Odin, who had just arrived, winced as he crossed his legs, as did all the men who had seen it.
Loki couldn't even make a sound as his body teetered back before falling towards the ground.
"Loki-sama!" screamed several shadows as they ran to catch him.
The other shadows tried to attack Kenichi once more, knowing he wasn't restricted anymore. Unfortunately for them, Kenichi already lashed out. He punched one out, grabbed another, swung him into another shadow while kicking another one before flipping and landing an ax kick onto another's collarbone. Another one tried to attack Kenichi's back, only for Hermit to slam his fist into him.
"Kenichi, are you alright?" asked Miu in a worried tone, even though she knew Kenichi had taken worst punishment in training. Still, Kenichi had two of the best doctors on hand for any treatment, and she could see charred skin on him.
"Don't worry about it, nothing Akisame-shifu can't fix," chuckled Kenichi as he gingerly touched his skin.
"Nii chan!" called out both sisters as Siegfried and Thor gently brought them down to ground floor and tackled their respective brothers.
"I was so scared," sniffed Honoka, "You kept getting hit because of me."
While Kenichi tried to calm Honoka down, Kaede was giving Hermit the cold shoulder after hugging him.
"Come on Kaede," begged Hermit, "Don't be like that."
"You didn't even try helping Kenichi," huffed Kaede, "I don't care about what this 'Kensei-sama' business is, but he has nothing to do with that goggle idiot! I can't believe you hang out with them!"
While she had her back towards her brother, she stuck out her tongue in mischief as Hermit tried to beg for forgiveness.
"You...YOU!" squeaked Loki as he tried to get up, making sure his balls hadn't ruptured, "How dare you brats hit me where the sun don't shine! Siegfried! Thor! Hermit! Do you know what it means to violate the command of Kensei-sama! What happened to your damn loyalty to Kensei Hermit! Why didn't you attack Kenichi when I, who have Kensei orders, ordered you to! With this act of betrayal, you three are no longer part of Ragnarok!"
"Hmph, as if I would want to be with a group that condones kidnapping," snorted Thor.
"Hmph, I've changed my mind," growled Hermit, "For the sake of my sister, I bid Ragnarok farewell! I will not put her in harm's way if you drag her into it."
"Lalalala but you lied about the order," sang Siegfried, "For I doubt he would condone such action!"
"I'll kick all your asses!" shouted Loki in anger.
"That's enough," rang a voice, "Nobody move."
Everyone looked to see Odin had finally revealed himself.
"Feh...so you've come," said Hermit, "The First Fist Odin."
Odin glanced around and noticed Kenichi wearing the promised Ying Yang pin.
"It's been a long time," greeted Odin.
"Ryuuto-kun?" said Kenichi, faking surprise.
"Hoo so you do remember me," smiled Odin, causing almost all the Fists and others to be shocked. The time travelers weren't surprised, and Siegfried was busy composing another song as usual.
"I'd say we should fulfill that day's promise right now, but seeing that you're injured, it would be unfair," sighed Odin as he lifted his glasses up to his nose, "Perhaps someday soon. Loki, come back."
"No freaking way!" cursed Loki, "They've pissed me off way too much! I'll settle these things now!"
"I'll overlook you freely tossing Kensei-sama's name," said Odin as he began to walk away, "But break one more rule."
He turned around to reveal he had stolen Loki's goggles without him even noticing before crushing it. Seething in anger but unable to do anything, Loki reluctantly obeyed and left.
Meanwhile, Odin turned to the fifth, sixth, and seventh fist.
"Though it is forbidden to strike against another Fist, you three were correct in doing so. Kensei-sama never gives direct orders to us. He is a totem to which we all gather upon. So thus, will you three cancel your resignation?"
"No," replied Hermit, "I've been warming the bench with Ragnarok for too long. Not only that, but I have a sister to take care of. Plus, Kensei-sama told me to travel my own path, and that path is away from Ragnarok!"
"I only joined Ragnarok to spread the teaching of Combat-Sumo!" announced Thor, "I would never join a group that would condone kidnapping! My time with Ragnarok is over!"
"I have had enough inspiration from Ragnarok," sang Siegfried, "It's time to pursue new inspirations from other sources!"
"So be it," sighed Odin, a bit peeved on losing three Fists at once. Especially with the new gang Yami rising and intruding on their turf, "The next time we meet, we will be enemies. Though rest assured Hermit, your sister will not be involved in this as long as she does not seek to fight us."
And with that message, Odin left them all.
"So...you know Odin," started Takeda as they calmly walked out the church gates.
"Used to," clarified Kenichi, "Back when we were still kids. He used to be my best friend until my family moved away when we were six."
"Hey, maybe you can use this to have Ragnarok back off you!" suggested Ukita.
"Doubt it," sighed Kenichi, "I don't know the present Ryuuto, but back then, he was pretty stubborn about some things."
"He's right!" sang Siegfried, scaring most of them, "Odin is rather set in his path for victory! He may let others do as they will, but in the end, he is the one who makes the final decisions in Ragnarok without caring what others think!"
"Right, another question," raised Takeda, "What are you two, the...ex-fists of Ragnarok doing here?"
"Yes, what are you doing here?" asked Hermit as he was interested in it, too, as they had saved his sister.
"Kekeke, there's no harm in letting them know now," cackled Niijima, "Siegfried has been my loyal servant for years now."
"Wait, so you had an inside man in Ragnarok all this time!?" asked a shocked Ukita.
"I'm surprised Odin didn't discover this earlier," blinked Hermit.
"Siegfried can be very dedicated to not being noticed when he wants to," supplied Thor, "Speaking of which, what are you going to do now?"
"I will be joining the Shinpaku Alliance to serve my demon king!" sang Siegfried, "Will you join me in this endeavor, Thor, Hermit?"
"...Will I be able to spread the word of combat sumo?" asked Thor.
"Of course," nodded Niijima.
"I'm in!"
"Whatever, I'm leaving," grunted Hermit as he began to take Kaede home, still trying to beg Kaede to forgive him. Kaede truly had him wrapped around her pinky.
And done. Now for the Omake! Thank Third Fang for giving me this idea and helping out with it!
Omake! The attempts of Kidnapping Honoka!
Attempt 1:
"This is Shadow 4," said Loki Shadow 4 as he radioed the others, "I have the target within sight. She is currently in the playground with an old man. This'll be easier than taking candy from a baby."
"Be swift and fast" commanded Loki from a distance, "Number 20, go distract the old man. Shadow Number 4, lure the brat near the bushes. Offer her sweets."
The plan would have gone perfectly...if the old man hadn't been Mototsuga babysitting his precious daughter.
As he was talking with Number 20, Shadow Loki Number 4 began his approach towards Kaede. Mototsuga's father sense began blaring, so he excused himself from Number 20 and began walking towards Shadow 4, pulling out his newest hunting rifle Rotowski that had been somehow hiding under his coat.
He had wanted to break in this rifle, and what better way to do so than to protect his daughter from this punk that wanted to hit on her.
The idea that the elder teens were trying to kidnap the elementary school student rather than trying to flirt with his daughter never crossed his mind. As far as he was concerned, all boys not of blood that approached his adorable little angel were unworthy hellspawn.
Ever since Natsu a.k.a. Hermit came into their lives, he had been rather quick to jump the gun literally.
"Err Number 20?" asked Loki from a safe distance, getting a bad feeling in his stomach, "You're better with firearms. Please tell me that's not a real gun the old guy is wielding?"
"...It is. I can smell the new gun smell on it, and Shadow 4 is the deer he's hunting."
"...Shadow 4, abort mission! I repeat, abort mission! GET THE HELL OUT OF THERE!" shouted Loki.
Shadow 4 blinked at the sudden command and looked over his shoulder to see a rifle being pointed at him, and Number 20 behind Mototsuga signaling him the signal to GTFO, as the situation was now FUBAR.
Shadow 4 never ran so fast in his life, especially when he could hear bullets whistling past his legs.
Attempt 2:
"Shadow 6 in position" stated Shadow 6 after Shadow 4 refused to participate in any more missions to kidnap Honoka, "Shadow 2 and 3 are with me."
"Alright boys, this is important," stated Loki on the radio, this time on his computer doing some other important tasks, "Is the gun-wielding man there?"
"Err negative, this time it's only a female walking with the target from the grocery store," stated Shadow 6, "I believe it's the mother. And damn she looks fine."
"Good," sighed Loki in relief, "Proceed as planned. Shouldn't take much to escape from the mother with the child on hand. Use force if needed."
As much he followed the aesthetics of evil, he wasn't cruel enough on his men to attempt a kidnapping as long as that madman was there. How the guy got around the stringent gun laws in Japan was a headache in itself. Even the Yakuza shied away from using firearms whenever possible due to the legal nightmares that possessing one illegally can cause.
Hours later, Loki was waiting for his shadows to come with their hostage when he saw three of his shadows dragging themselves back to base without Honoka and with several large bruises and cuts.
"What happened!?" interrogated Loki, noticing the cartoon-sized welts on their heads.
"Mother with frying pan...hurts so much," cried Shadow 2, "She wouldn't stop!"
"After she was finished," sniffed Shadow 6, "She made us pay for new one while giving us an hour lecture about how bad it was trying to surprise people."
"I'm sorry mommy," said Shadow 3 as he began to curl up in a fetal position, "Please stop hitting me with a frying pan."
Loki facepalmed at this before asking, "Why didn't you use the stun batons?"
"We couldn't even get them out," explained Shadow 2, "Shadow 3 almost did, but the mother hurled her frying pan into him before somehow grabbing another one."
"We were in the soup aisle! There shouldn't have been any more pans! It doesn't make any sense!" 3 wailed into his knees. "Why would anyone sell frying pans in the soup aisle?!"
"Ok, why not sneak attack when she turned around to leave?" demanded Loki.
"A man wielding two hunting rifles appeared, yelling that it was hunting season," shivered Shadow 6, "We ran away."
Loki sighed as he guessed the father had made an appearance.
Attempt 3:
"Alright, I'm leading this mission," stated Loki as all of his shadows were with him, "We saw the girl just enter in the store completely alone. Once she comes out, we nab her."
"Why not in the store?" asked a shadow.
"I don't even want to risk it," said Loki, "For all we know, the store owner could have a freaking machine gun."
"Is that likely?" asked another.
"Compared to the other two attempts?" hissed another.
"Alright, she's coming out!" hissed Number 20 from her spying spot in the store.
Honoka began to skip while humming out the store and towards a corner.
"Alright after her, but silently!" ordered Loki, "You two, go around that way so we surround her!"
They quickly moved into their position as Honoka reached the corner and turned.
"Now!" shouted Loki as they all moved, trapping Honoka in the corner pathway.
"Haha, nowhere to...," started Loki before trailing off. They had all been looking down to where her head height should've been, just to see the dark skin on someone's kneecap. They all slowly looked up...and up...and up...until they saw Honoka on Apachai Hopachai's back.
"… Is it too late to get the crazy gun guy again?" Shadow 20 whimpered.
"Apapa Hi!" greeted Apachai, "Are you Honoka's friends?"
"No Apachai, but I recognize these people," stated Honoka, "They keep following me for some reason."
"Apapa that's no good!" exclaimed Apachai.
"Get her!" shouted Loki.
The Shadows started to swarm them while Loki took a smarter approach and ran.
Hours later, Loki's forces were making their way back to base empty-handed. Though not physically injured too much, Apachai had decided to show off to Honoka how he could juggle eight people with his legs.
The trauma and damage to his team's cohesion were devastating.
Especially after he had to forfeit his team's match in the annual Ragnarok Soccer fundraiser due to his team's unanimous fear of dribbling.
Hope you've enjoyed this chapter! Siegfried and Thor are officially out from Ragnarok, as well as Hermit! Anyways, for this chapter, I wanted to focus a bit more on Niijima, as I noticed my other chapters didn't really have him in it. Also had fun with the conspiracy theory with Akeshita.
As usual, I'll be a bit distracted with events going on, but I'll try to keep the monthly updates I've been doing. Might be a little late for the next one to be honest due to Destiny 2 muhahaha. Same reminder, I have a pat reon page, just look up azndrgn writing fan fic, come donate if you can. Otherwise, see you guys in my next chapter on my stories, or maybe on my new story that I'm working on!
Also, goal achieved! What's that goal? Well I'll leave that up for you guys to think!