Chapter 12
"Violent Situation"
"Er...Honoka-san?" Naoki waddled up to the Ryouzanpaku group eagerly and looked at the youngest brunette, a childishly smile plastered on. "T-thanks for coming! You're welcome back anytime!" The boy flushed a bit when she smiled and was engulfed in a friendly hug.
The last two days were very slow but nice for Honoka. She only sparred once more with Naoki and that lasted just as long as it did the first time. Other then that, Naoki was just busy training with Kenichi and the resident Masters, taking up most of his time. After the first spar though - the boy one year her junior had taken a liking to her immensely. She suspected that it was because the boy lacked friends since he lived in the mountains - so perhaps, she was one of the first people his age to talk to.
"Yeah. No problem."
Kenichi narrowed his eyes at the boy. Sure, he and Naoki had begun to get along better during the training. Heck, they had developed a mutual respect for one another after the final spar leading to Kenichi's victory - but this was a different matter. He knew the tell-tale signs of a crush when he saw one. "Wat-"
"So cute!" Miu cut him off with a glare, making him flinch and look away casually. Honoka just snickered and nudged the blond girl, returning a small smile.
The two girls had developed an intangible sense of kinship over the trip. Honoka wasn't quite sure when it happened but the dynamics between the two shifted and Miu suddenly began treating her as if they were also siblings. For the moment, they had yet to spar - perhaps that would happen sometime in the future when circumstances fit.
"Well...I suppose it is time to go." Akisame nodded to the others and began their trip.
"Good luck in the future and always work hard." Taiki acknowledged Kenichi, who was still confused over the talent of 'hard work comment' they said he possessed. He thought it was a bit deplorable, something that made Honoka smack upside the head. 'A lot of people wish they had that talent!' she said.
"I wish you all well."
The group bowed collectively and left the mountains.
Yokohama
"Uncle." Renka shook the man awake, "Uncle! Wake up, customers are filing in!"
Hakubi opened his eyes and snapped up in his chair, startling the young girl, his grand-niece. He had stayed up late last night speaking to a very important informant of his from the Alliance. Apparently, Ma Sougetsu had appeared at Koryou and had dealings with the local mafia. Seriously, what was with this area and famous martial artists? Ryouzanpaku was already stationed here and now, the Fierce Fist God had made an appearance.
He blamed Furinji Hayato. The man attracted more trouble than all the Heroes of China put together.
"Is something troubling you, Uncle Hakubi?" Renka placed a gentle hand on his shoulders. The bald man only smiled and stood up - ruffling the girl's hair.
"I am well, my dear niece. Now - let's get to work, shall we?" The girl nodded and skipped out to begin taking orders.
Hakubi frowned as his thoughts stay on the topic of Sougetsu. The man, his nephew of sorts, was a very dangerous entity. If he was actually here, then nothing good could come out of it. Kensei had been broken when his older brother had been banished from the mainlands - it was not a good time for any of the family.
He only hoped that Kensei wouldn't do anything rash if he found out. When he found out.
The restaurant was beginning to get lively for lunch. Their restaurant served at long hours and provided all sorts of dishes - from soup, rice, fruit and every sort of delicacy. Their consistency and diversity was the reason for their fame in Yokohama Chinatown. There was no resident that failed to visit more than once a week.
A tap of glass caught his attention all of a sudden and his eyes met one of complete obsidian The customer was the very definition of what someone from the West would call, a 'hobo'. He had dirty brown clothes and ragged black hair - around his neck were red beads.
Hakubi immediately recognized him and walked over.
"May I help you, sir?"
The man's eyes closed as a smile tucked at his lips. "I have a message..." A letter slipped from his sleeves. Hakubi took it and read the words:
Hakubi,
I found one of their bases. They are sending agents to Koryou - be on the look out. Tell her. I also have met up with Sect Leader. Also, be wary of Yami. They have recruited powerful young warriors. One knows of the Yang Spear and another uses Jiu Yin Bai Gu Zhao (9-Yin White Bone Claw), both are above average Master Class. They must be preparing for something. Just a thought.
Take care of yourself,
- N.
The owner frowned very deeply. He knew of the styles that had been mentioned and was fully aware of how dangerous they could be as enemies. To regular fighters he meant, not Elite Masters like himself and Naruto. The Yang family was not without a history of great War heroes. "Ryouzanpaku must be alerted. If Yami could sink their fangs into such powerful people, who knows what else they have up their sleeves."
"Thank you. Your meal is on the house. Feel free to stay for a while, your journey must have been tough." The poor looking man inclined his head in thanks to Hakubi.
"Thank you."
Later
Honoka stretched her arms comfortably as she walked her way onto the train - getting prepared for another quick trip to Yokohama. It had been a week or so since she had visited her Uncle Hakubi. She was due another trip there - not to mention, there was always a chance that he had an open request she could take. The Phoenix Alliance had many capable fighters but Hakubi usually had one or two interesting jobs at hand. They were a very busy bunch.
As the brunette walked on, she noticed a familiar figure sitting on the far left bench. It was one of the Masters of Ryouzanpaku. "Oh! Kensei-san." She waved at the man. He tilted his head and signaled her over - the girl followed up quickly.
They quickly changed dialects upon meeting. It was an instinct for Honoka now.
"Honoka-chan." He grinned. "Are you also...?"
"Yeah. I'm going to go visit my Uncle Hakubi and have dinner." A faint sputtering caught her attention and she looked at the source, only to see air. Shaking her head, the girl looked back at the Master. "What about you?"
"You know Hakubi? How nice, I also call him my Uncle. Except, he is actually my real Uncle." The hat-wearing Master gestured for her to sit. He didn't really seem all too surprised about what she had just told him - his Uncle was well known in Chinatown. "I am also going to do other things as well. Do you go to Yokohama often?" Honoka confirmed with a nod.
"Yep! It's my type of place - very lively!" Kensei agreed. The place was very active and bustling. It had a very city-type of aura. "Do you visit often, Kensei-san?"
"Not really. I like the nice, quiet life of Koryou with the others. Yokohama reminds me of work! Bleh."
"That's understandable." She giggled.
The two sat in silence for a while before Honoka caught sight of a very familiar looking person standing faced away from them. The girl narrowed her eyes and nudged the Master. She subtly pointed at the suspicious person and caught a glint of exasperation in his eyes. They continued speaking in Chinese. "I think he's following us."
"Why doesn't he just come up to us?" Kensei mused. "Such a troublesome disciple." He sighed.
The two just ignored Kenichi for the moment and got off the train. "He's still following us. Want to play a prank?"
"What are you thinking?" The Chinese man asked curiously. Honoka just smirked and switched back to Japanese. She spoke loudly:
"Kensei-sama..." Her voice was incredibly coy, freezing Kenichi still who stood not far behind them. The young brunette grabbed the Master's arm with both of her's. "Where is this...'red light' place you're taking me too...?"
"WHAT?! M-M-MASTER MA! WHERE ARE YOU TAKING MY SISTER YOU BASTARD!?"
The two turned and saw a red faced Kenichi. Honoka promptly pointed at him and laughed while Kensei just shook his head in slight amusement. He wasn't THAT bad. "We are going to get dinner with my Uncle."
"T-then what ab-"
"Gotcha!" She stuck her tongue out at him. "That's your punishment for stalking people, you creep!"
Kenichi face-planted. "H-honoka! Don't say such distasteful jokes!" He screamed indignantly. The girl merely gave him the hand and said:
"Hmph! The only distasteful thing here is your T-shirt!" The boy suddenly felt self-conscious and grabbed his shirt to examine it.
The hat-wearing Master sighed, ending the short moment between the siblings. "Following me this time will be dangerous, Ken-chan. Please, return to Koryou."
"Absolutely not! Since I am a live-in disciple who shares a home, food and training with my Masters; I want to share their worries as well!" Honoka was a bit confused on the last one but smiled overall.
"Oh, you big lug of dignity you!" She affectionately punched him on the shoulders, drawing a small groan of pain. "My big brother is so cool!"
"Even I don't know what will happen. Are you certain that your decision is made?"
Kenichi nodded resolutely. "Yes."
"Very well, come along. As long as you are aware that you may die at any moment!"
"D-don't say such things, Master." He chuckled a bit. "Wait, if it's so dangerous, why is Honoka coming along?" Kensei couldn't help but be amused. His student still didn't see her own sister's skill level.
Honoka didn't seem to be offended. "I'm just going to have dinner with Uncle Hakubi then head home."
"Who is this Hakubi person anyway? I don't think we have an Uncle named that."
"You'll see. We're here." She pointed at the restaurant that was called 'Imperial Wrath'. "They have great food here. Especially the fujian."
The trio entered the building and was immediately met with Hakubi, who's usual smile widened upon seeing Kensei. "Oh, so you decided the time was ripe to see me."
"I've been neglecting to visit." Kensei bowed alongside Honoka. Kenichi pointed at him and asked:
"Who is this, a bald friend?"
Honoka smacked him upside the head. "Idiot! Don't be so rude. This is Uncle Hakubi, the kindest and most knowledgeable man in Yokohama Chinatown."
"She is right. Also, his real name is Ma Ryou."
Honoka turned to the elder, "I'm sorry about my brother. He's very honest and nice but a simpleton. Please forgive him." Hakubi just chuckled and waved it off.
"Sorry for calling you bald." He bowed.
"Don't worry about it. In China, all wise men eventually lose their hair! Hahahaha!" They shared an awkward chuckle at the expense of Kensei who lamented of his hair loss every single day. Oh, he used to be handsome.
"Now then, let's get a table."
They got one right under the second floor and near the stairs. The restaurant was nearly empty which was fairly strange - but not uncommon. "Now then, while the food is getting ready...let's chat!" Kensei smiled and the two elders caught up. Honoka was swinging her legs beneath the table, waiting for the food.
Kenichi looked down to his sister. "So, how do you know him?"
"My Master introduced me to Uncle Hakubi a long time ago." She had never, ever mentioned her trips to Yokohama - not wanting to worry the family about her independent streak. "He's a nice person. If you need something here, he will help you if he believes you are an honest person!"
"I see." Kenichi nodded in understanding. "W-wait, you have a Master? Who?"
The girl stiffened for a moment before coughing into her mouth. "Some guy. He's cool." She nudged the hat-wearing Master in hopes of changing the topic.
Fortunately, Hakubi had something. "I may have an idea of what you're here for. But first, I have something of interest to tell you." He spared a look to Kenichi, unsure of what to think. Kensei spoke up.
"My pupil insists on sharing our problems so he can be trusted. However-" He gave Kenichi a stern look, something that the disciple found rare. "-it cannot be spoken amongst your friends. Understood? Some things are just too dangerous to mention."
The boy nodded.
"I received a message from a...an old friend-" The restaurant owner gave Honoka a piercing glance. She widened her eyes by a fraction at the insinuation and gave him her undivided attention. "-he has found one of the enemy bases. They are sending agents here to Koryou."
The brunette beamed and clutched her skirt tightly to eliminate her shaking. Her Master was well! Oh, was she relieved to hear that.
But the last bit of information was very disconcerting.
"At the moment, he has met up with a Sect Leader to discuss these issues."
"Sect Leader? I didn't know Master was affiliated with any of them." They were organizations that were established all over the world. For the most part, a great many were located in the various lands of China. Even though the world couldn't see it due to media interference, China was divided into many inter-divisional factions called Sects. Their history went as far back as the days of the original Dynasties. Her Master had told her many stories and she learned of others from independent self-studies. Many of the information was held in her Master's old Library in his office - an office that now belonged to Haku.
"Interesting. If the Sects are getting involved, this must be a serious situation." Kensei observed seriously. As the leader of the Phoenix Alliance, he was familiar with all of the Sects and their leaders. He was friends with most of them and knew most of their surface martial arts.
"It is. You see...it concerns Konoha-" The girl narrowed her eyes, a glint of anger flashing briefly in them. She hated that name - they were the group who kidnapped Konohamaru and forced her Master onto a journey. "-and another group. You may know them as, 'Yami'."
Kensei gritted his teeth and nodded in understanding. It was clear that the man wanted to warn them of two great powers, the latter as the better of the two. He, being a high official in China, definitely knew of Konoha and their bloody demise at the hands of Uzumaki Naruto. He also heard of many rumors concerning their rebuilding, something that irked him greatly. If the two were to join forces, many problems would certainly arise.
Honoka herself was deep in thought. "Master found one of Konoha's base and what he saw there was important enough to involve a Sect Leader. This...doesn't sound good at all!"
"Apparently, he also got into a fight with two Master class fighters that was affiliated with Yami. One used a forbidden martial arts, the other was a member of the Yang Clan."
"The Yang? They are regarded as Heroes!" Kensei massaged his beard in worry. "This is outrageous! What does Yang Zhuo think of this?!"
"I sent him a message the other day. I will be sure to let you know of any developments." His Uncle confirmed. "But my friend believes that Yami is up to something. He believes that Yami's recruiting agents have begun to step up their game for some sort of event. I thought it wise to inform Ryouzanpaku."
"I will be sure to alert the Elder. He will determine our stance on this."
Kenichi couldn't stand being confused anymore. "What's going on?"
It was Honoka that answered for him. "Bad things, Ken'. Yami is very bad news, especially for us - followers of Katsujinken and order."
"You are more informed than I initially believed. That kind of worries me." Kensei frowned and looked at his Uncle. "We will speak of that later."
"Konoha is an organization of assassins who follow the killing fist...obviously." She felt dumb for repeating such points. "They have fallen in recent years due to an...incident."
"Your Master." The two Chinese men thought simultaneously.
"They are trouble, Ken'. If they are active, horrible things will happen."
The boy narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "How do you know these things, Honoka?"
She feign coughed again. "O-oh, well, you should watch the news more!"
Hakubi laughed while Kensei just scoffed. "Bullshit."
Their food arrived after that and the group happily dug in. The tension had released a bit during their meal. That didn't last long though.
"I did not expect to hear such news during this visit." Kensei admitted. "I actually came here to ask you about something else."
"About Sougetsu, correct?"
"Has he really come to Japan?!" Hakubi confirmed with a incline of his head. "If this is true...I must meet him."
"Is this wise? I doubt that you will be able to get away with just meeting him. According to my sources, he is involved with the Mafia."
"Foo iv vis Foobefu (Who is this Sougetsu)?" Kenichi asked as he took another bite of rice.
Kensei sighed. "Ma Sougetsu. My long lost older brother."
"Brother?!" His disciple exclaimed. "You have a brother?"
"You're only worried about your brother?" A voice from above them spoke. When she heard the voice, a look of utter distaste crossed Honoka's face - it looked as if she had swallowed something too sour.
Hakubi had to hold himself from laughing at Kensei's sudden tense-ness. "Well...there was also another reason why I thought you might have come. I couldn't be too sure though."
Honoka watched as Ma Renka, the person also known as the skank to her, leaped from the second floor and directed a flying kick at their table. Sighing in exasperation, Honoka quickly grabbed the remaining good dishes and kicked herself away to avoid the incoming blow. "Skanks in heat, gotta hate them."
Kensei had also dodged the blow. "I don't know who you are or where you're from, but you have nice muscles. However, you'll never kick me in a thousand years!"
Renka turned to face him, making Kensei blanch and gape in shock - alongside his student, Kenichi, who was as confused as ever.
"Why are you so shocked to see your daughter? Papa!"
"P-papa?!" Kenichi pointed at his Master. "Y-you mean like an escort?!" Kensei's eyes widened even further at the accusation.
Honoka however, fell to her knees and laughed to the point where she was banging her hands on the floor multiple times. "YEAH! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"
"You idiot! It's not like that at all! That's my daughter, Ma Renka!" He clarified for his student while Renka just continued to glare at Honoka, who was still laughing and tearing up.
"What?! You have a kid?!"
"In China, he also has a wife and two other children." Hakubi mentioned while Kensei merely confirming with a 'yes'.
"Shut up!" Renka yelled at Honoka. "I'll beat you up later! Wait a minute, you were acting familiar with him not too long ago! That means that you knew him!" She accused pointedly.
Honoka smirked and gave her the stink eye. "Yep! Duh, I've known where he was for months!"
"Then why didn't you tell me, you little worm!?"
"Because I think you're a skank and I don't like you! Hahahahahahahaha!" She dodged a flying plate that came flying with a smirk still plastered on her face.
"I'll get you for this!"
"Do...they know each other?" The hat-wearing man asked innocently. Hakubi nodded and said: "Rivals."
"Oh. That's cute."
"Mmhmm."
Re-focused on her goal, Renka turned her head to Kensei and launched a chain at him - wrapping around his left arm. "Anyway! You're going to come home tonight, Papa! I went as far as to become an exchange student here and when I heard you sometimes visited Hakubi, I took my chance! And now I've found you!"
"Kensei, you are in trouble now." Hakubi commented from the side.
"I've got you!" Renka exclaimed but it was in vain, as her father easily snapped the thin chain with his bare strength and used his disciple as a shield for the next one she threw. Kenichi suddenly found his neck wrapped in them. "Huh."
"Sorry. Bye." And with that, he made way for the exit at high speeds. Renka yelled angrily and ran after him. Somehow, Kenichi also managed to find himself getting involved.
Honoka just watched them go. She glanced between the door and then to her unfinished meal.
"...This is a tough choice."
"Hey, don't waste food. Your Master would scold you for that." Her Uncle directed lightly. She nodded in agreement and finished the food she had ordered. "Sorry about the mess." She bowed to him.
"Don't worry about it. Just get those two out of trouble, will you? Sougetsu is a very dangerous man. If they got involved..."
"I'll find them." She assured him and left to the back to change into her cloak.
It was time for Xinku to roam Chinatown.
With Renka
"Shirahama Kenichi?! Best student?!" Renka sputtered. "This frail looking kid is Papa's best student? Wait, wait, wait...this guy is that little girl's older brother?! What the- maybe looks are decieving!"
She punched him right in the gut. He couldn't dodge or block it in time, resulting in him collapsing to the floor comically.
"He's weak! He must be lying!"
"You're Papa's best student?! That's a lie! Oh what a sad fate! Papa who was extolled for being a supreme Master of Martial Arts is reduced to take this talent-less guy as his best student!"
"A-ah, sorry." He stood up immediately. Renka seemed a bit surprised, he had taken a clean hit after all.
"Wow, you're up already! At least you can take strong hits."
"A-ah well, Master did say that I had a talent for 'taking hits'!"
"That's no praise!"
Moments after, they were distracted by the sound of conflict just down their street. A shop owner had been thrown out onto the ground roughly by two thugs. "Oi! The money, where is it?! What's your excuse?"
"We're not paying up to you Mafia anymore! We're cutting you off! Hakubi has called everyone together, I'm not the only one who won't pay!"
"Hakubi? Wait, what are they talking about?" Kenichi asked.
"They're the Chinese Mafia. It seems lately that they've been very active and the worst kind have been arriving here from the Mainland. They're dividing the area!"
The bigger of the two thugs grew impatient and grabbed the shop owners. "How brave. Old man 'Uncle' Hakubi is also a fool for opposing us!" The thug the man threw up high in the air and he would have landed on his head had Kenichi not catch him cleanly.
"Hey, are you OK?" The shop owner nodded quickly. This did not escape the attention of the thugs.
"Who the hell are you?" He seemed confident and incredibly annoyed, something that intimidated Kenichi. But not Renka.
"J-just passerby's. Bye!"
"You dare insult Uncle Hakubi. Also, only relatives can call him Uncle - and that silly girl I guess - anyway, I'll give you FIVE seconds to disappear..." She calmly said and held out her fingers.
"Dumb girl. A relative? Well, well...they seem to be everywhere I guess."
"Five...four...three...two...one..."
"W-wait, Renka-san."
"Take her out!" The smaller of the two thugs commanded. The big one stepped in and launched a punch at her face.
"Zero!" She deflected the punch with a well timed Kakei and used her other arm to land fast punches to his gut. "You were so slow that I punched you three times."
"Incredible! Then again, she is Master Ma's daughter."
Kenichi grimaced when he saw the other one draw a sword-belt. He immediately stepped in front of the man - gripped his arm, got behind his back and threw him to the floor. Renka looked briefly surprised.
"T-thank you, Renka, boy." They nodded and the owner shooed away the crowd.
"Hold up, that wasn't a Chinese throw. What move was that?"
The brown haired boy shrugged. "It was Japanese Jiujitsu. Besides Master Ma's Chinese Kempo, I'm also studying Jiujitsu, Karate and Muay Thai." He listed off nonchalantly.
"What the- You're just studying Chinese Kempo part-time?! How rude! One's not enough for you?!" Kenichi shivered and waved his hands back and forth indicating that his circumstances did not involve selfishness.
"Well for the moment, I guess I should thank you for taking that punk out over there."
Said punk spat next to her feet, still downed. "Just you wait, wait till I get back to Sougetsu! He'll crush you like an ant!"
Renka narrowed her eyes before a mischievous look crossed them. The girl turned and marched to the downed man with a dark smile. "You're going to tell us where Ma Sougetsu is!"
The guy looked like he soiled himself and immediately spilled the beans.
"W-wait, aren't we looking for Master Ma?!"
Renka scoffed. "Well duh, he's obviously looking for Sougetsu so we'll get there first and meet him!"
He seemed hesitant for a moment.
"Look, Uncle Sougetsu is a Master of the 'Hard Fist' aspect of Chinese Quan Fa while Papa is a Master of the 'Gentle Fist' aspect. Sougetsu also follows the way of Satsujinken while Papa is also the opposite! People in China still have a difficult time wondering who is the better fighter."
"Killing Fist?" That was a very serious topic for Kenichi. "He does that huh?"
"Yes. If he is, do you still want to tag along? We're about to enter a world where even 'Heroes' tread fearfully. It's a completely different world from your school life and bliss! Take one wrong step, and you WILL die."
"If I say no, will you keep going?" She confirmed his question in the positive. "Well then, I will go too. I can't let a girl go into such a dangerous place alone!"
Renka seemed taken back by the comment. Even though she knew he was an inferior fighter, those words did hold strong meaning. "Idiot. Don't try to be a hero! I'm telling you that with your skills, you'll just be in my way!"
"Papa sure picked a strange student!"
She didn't know how to really feel about it. While completely inferior in skill to both her - and not to mention his younger sister - the boy was still willing to go through with the plan. He was completely aware that she was the better fighter of the two, the blue haired girl could see it in his eyes. He was absolutely terrified of what they were getting into.
But he was still moving forward.
Renka would have to talk to the silly girl later. Maybe she could clear up her thoughts.
It was only twenty minutes later when they arrived at the building where Ma Sougetsu was located.
"If your Uncle Sougetsu is actually in there, then maybe we could talk him out of doing all of this."
The girl next to him scoffed. "You mean peacefully? Fine. I doubt it will work though." Kenichi scratched his head and tried to steel his nerves.
They immediately walked in and saw five guards. Without a word, they were attacked from all sides. With instincts built from doing missions for the Alliance, Renka got into a fighting stance and kicked two of them back at high speeds while simultaneously back-fisting another. Kenichi dodged one attack meekly and hesitantly punched his opening, sending the thug into the wall. By the time he turned, Renka had already brutalized the fifth thug and kicked him through the door.
"Er...peacefully, peacefully!"
Renka merely rolled her eyes. "Come on, the elevator is this way."
As soon as they dropped off on the fifth floor, a sense of danger lingered about the air. The girl tucked in her lips like a grimace and walked on. "To be in cahoots with the Mafia - Uncle Sougetsu is an absolute disgrace to the Ma family!"
And as if a light-bulb had been lit on her head, she felt an immense ki move towards them. "Get back!" She pushed the boy back and they narrowly avoided a large fist coming through the wall. Kenichi looked to the source - seeing a tall and very muscular middle-aged man with short black hair and a thick beard. The man wore an open vest, dark pants and carried a gourd on his waistband.
"You!" Renka spat as memories of a strict, apathetic man came to her. "Ma Sougetsu! Disgrace to the family!"
"...I thought for sure that it was Kensei's aura. Somehow, I mistook him for a girl." He mused, ignoring her loud accusations. "Not too surprising. He was always a feminine one. Well...guess I'd better move on then."
"Hold on!" Renka immediately dashed at full speed and launched a flying drill kick. "Ma Style: Senkyuu (Piercing Bow Flying Kick)!"
"No! Don't, Renka!"
Without even looking back, Sougetsu grabbed her feet with ease and slammed her against the wall. "Guh!" She spat out blood from her mouth and on to the man's wrists.
"Stop it! She's your brother's daughter! Your own niece!"
Sougetsu did not miss a beat in his reply. "She dared to raise a fist at me despite being utterly outclassed. Even though she is a child, she is a martial artist as well!" That was his logic. "As far as I'm concerned, I have no blood relatives."
Just as he said this, a black shadow appeared beside his arm - the one holding Renka loosely - in a gliding-like motion and kicked him in the waist. He didn't even register the blow but carelessly dropped the girl anyway. The dark figure caught Renka and glided back to get beside Kenichi. "Got lucky there." The distorted voice muttered. "I can't believe I actually got you."
Kenichi widened his eyes at the sudden appearance of the masked fighter. "Xinku?! What are you doing here?" Honoka ignored him completely, preferring to not let her guard down.
"I was looking at your feet." Sougetsu admitted and took a drink from his gourd. "It's not everyday that you get to see Shé Jiao Dian (The Serpent Glides) in Japan. To think a brat like you knows such advanced steps - your teacher can only be a few men."
Renka looked up and saw the masked figure. "Hmph, fine - I won't say anything." Honoka smiled under her mask but kept eyes on the Master before them.
"Why did you attack? You knew he could have killed you there, right?"
The elder girl scoffed and spat out more blood. "None of your concern." She tightened her fist. "We can't just let him leave."
"Still as stupid and stubborn as ever." Honoka sighed. "Ma Sougetsu, I kindly ask that you leave these idiots in peace."
"Like I said before, I'm not having that. The only reason you got her the first time was because I didn't sense any killer intent from you. Your crossing Glide steps are good for sneaking about but you cannot escape me now, masked-girl." He took another gulp from his gourd. "I think I'll kill you all here and now."
He took a step forward. Honoka was absolutely baffled when she felt his fighting spirit alone. It was painfully obvious that the man completely outclassed them by a hundred-fold - even Renka and Kenichi who had been quiet all this time were stiff before him.
"Not today!" Another figure shot through the window, shattering the glass, and launched a dozen kicks at supremely high speeds. By the time Honoka had realized the glass had broke, Sougetsu had already stepped back from Kensei.
"Finally arrived, have you?" Sougetsu muttered, eyeing his long lost younger brother. "Ma Kensei."
"Brother, you are still living like this?" It was a rhetoric question.
"Finally...I can settle matters with you." Was his only reply.
"Kenichi...er, masked person - could you two take Renka and leave this place? It's gonna get quite messy." Kensei told them and walked up to his brother.
They clasped their own hands, their right over their left - a signal of a death match.
"Master, brothers killing each other is wrong!"
Even though Honoka felt the same way, she didn't dare voice it. The situation was long out of their control. Before she could suggest their escape, Sougetsu launched his first attack - a punch that was nearly impossible for any of the disciples to follow. Kensei easily misdirected it to the edge - the impact power so great that the air had been pushed back and destroyed the surrounding windows.
"What strength!" Honoka gritted her teeth and covered herself to brace the wind the single punch caused. "These people stand on the Level of my Master?!"
Without looking back to check their safety, Kensei also went on the offensive and began wall-hopping around - raining down spear handed strikes at Sougetsu - all of which were blocked casually with his own spear hands. The battle went on like this until the two reached the edge of the building. The impacts of their attacks were causing breaks and cracks into the walls even on the other side of the building. The disciples had never seen something as incredible as this before now; the fists of the Masters literally caused vibrations in the air around them - shaking the grounds. "What immense power..."
She didn't even notice Kenichi carrying Renka to follow the two until it was too late. "Idiots! Damn it, how could I let myself get distracted so easily!" Honoka ran after them but stopped at the sight of Sougetsu looking as if he were pushing back his brother. However, those with a good eye could see that the smaller man was using Kakei to deflect all of the deadly punches away softly.
It was clear that even one clean blow from Sougetsu would end the match, whether it was a jab or a kick, they were all one-hit certain kills. The brunette now realized how lucky Renka had been earlier. The elder man didn't even bother using his full strength.
But now he was. Against another great opponent.
"Hmph, your skills haven't deterred one bit! Brother!"
"We've both been training, I see." Kensei replied and hopped to the ceiling to use a palm strike to counter his punch. Despite stopping the blow from inflicting him, the wall behind the small man still showed signs of being cracked - a true testament of Sougetsu's pure strength.
He flipped to another corner and launched from the side to strike at his brother - but Sougetsu caught on and launched an extremely high powered no-look palm strike in his direction. "Wu Long Pan Da (Black Dragon Smash)!" Kensei grimaced and took the blow head on with both hands across his chest.
"Master!" Kenichi yelled in fright. "He got hit!"
"Tch." Sougetsu looked at his hands while keeping a stance. "Your inner strength is incredible as always - to have advanced enough to transfer away the power of my attack into nothing. Did you even feel that?" His brother had flipped back onto the room's corner, using both feet to hold himself on the wall while holding both arms to guard.
"Kind of." Kensei grinned back and licked the blood that spilled from his mouth. "Not bad at all."
"Time to finish this!"
In that instant, the building abruptly exploded into fire. Kensei and Sougetsu narrowed their eyes and immediately glanced to the window. "Tch. I see I've been betrayed." Kensei's footing was lost as the wall he kept footing collapsed. "This is the end! An opening!" He stepped forward and put all of his strength into the punch. "Kempo is a weapon for efficiently destroying your opponent, Kensei! It's pure power!"
Like before, Kensei took it head on but this time - as the punch struck him, he allowed his body to move with the flow and his upper body was now positioned to strike Sougetsu openly. "Sei Shin Suikyou Shou (Penetrating Water Surface Palm)!" The younger brother landed four ki-enhanced palm strikes on Sougetsu, forcing him back and coughing up blood into his hand. Kensei also spat out some red, having not been able to escape the full blow of Sougetsu's punch.
"I have overwhelmed you with your own power, brother!" The hat-wearing Master said through his bleeding mouth. "Weapons don't kill people, it is the people that wield it that do so!"
The once unstoppable looking man, Honoka noticed with shock, now looked pitiful and beaten. "Why have your skills improved so much? Why? What is the difference between us!?"
"I have comrades - no, friends that I train with everyday! You have always been alone, Sougetsu! That's the difference."
"Friends?!" He mentally groused. "I have no such things." Sougetsu looked towards his brother's student and daughter, both of whom were yelling for Kensei to get out of the fire. "As always, everyone around us are your friends. Even though we had the same strength, I was feared while you were respected! I...didn't leave China because I killed a man, from the very beginning, I had no life there!"
"Brother..."
The fire was raging now. It had begun to rise above the grounds they were on and engulfed anything it touched.
"Go, Kensei. For a Martial Artist, defeat is death!"
They shared one last stare down before the younger of the two nodded.
"Very well. We're going." He looked at the three who didn't even bother listening to his request to run. Had they gone, the battle would have escalated even further to the point where multiple buildings would have been destroyed - but something like that would have killed the children who were in the crossfire. Sougetsu also condensed his strength to fight in small spaces for them. Perhaps, there was a little humanity left in him after all.
"Y-you're just gonna leave him?!"
"If I go near him now, he will take him own life. At least, I want him to die the way he lived - as a Martial Artist."
Kenichi didn't understand those sentiments but promptly followed Kensei into the elevator. "Is this what the Martial Arts world is really like?"
"Hurry!"
Kenichi got into the elevator but just as it was closing, he caught the sight of Sougetsu drinking one last gulp of sake and changed his mind. He stopped the elevator with both arms. "This is wrong! I cannot permit this sort of farewell between brothers!" Leaping from the elevator, the disciple ran towards the former enemy to offer a hand.
"That fool!" Renka moved to keep the elevator open. Kensei merely watched in silence.
Seeing the offered hand, Sougetsu just glanced at him apathetically and threw the boy back into the elevator with a single arm. "Heh. I see that you are also training a weird pupil, Kensei." The doors closed and Sougetsu closed his eyes from the fire.
"Urgh!" Kenichi rubbed his back and frowned when his offer was denied. But as he was about to voice this, he noticed the presence of another missing. "H-hey wait, where's Xinku?!"
"Oh?" Kensei shrugged. "She jumped out the window as soon as the battle ended. I wonder why we didn't think of doing that."
Renka just grabbed her stomach in pain. "Hmph."
Nearby Building
From the roof of another tall building in Yokohama, Honoka removed her mask to gain some fresh air while she looked down to the burning building. "Tch. What a fight...so that's a battle between Masters..."
It was an absolutely incredible fight. She couldn't even do half the things they did - speed, technique or power-wise. It was becoming quite clear that Honoka would have to increase her training to even think of standing next to people like them.
"So that's what you look like behind the mask." A gruff voice mused from beside her. She tensed and glided backwards to gain distance. The man merely made a noise of amusement and took another drink from his gourd. "Relax. I won't kill you if you don't tell anyone about my survival. In exchange, I will not say of anything I will have learned of tonight."
Honoka gritted her teeth. "Fine. What are you doing here anyway? If you didn't want anyone to know you're alive, you could have left without me knowing easily!"
"I'm curious."
He walked forward and immediately launched a punch at her - one that she could follow - followed by some kicks. To Sougetsu, he felt as if he was moving in slow motion but Honoka thought differently, she had to use all of her speed to dodge each attack. "Come on, fight back!" He growled and stepped up a level.
Honoka frowned and entered her primary stance. The Cloud Dragon form consisted of her standing slightly crouched with one arm outstretched as a claw and the other held in front of her face in a spear.
Sougetsu narrowed his eyes. "Just who are you?"
The girl rushed him at high speeds but Sougetsu did not falter. He blocked all of her palm strikes with speed alone, disregarding the need to telegraph. Honoka then answered:
"I am Xink-"
"Don't give me that bullshit. What is your name? Tell me before I kill you."
If that wasn't a convincing argument, then she didn't know what was. The girl doubted she could get away with a lie either.
"Shirahama Honoka."
The man was not satisfied. "Hm...Hong Lu-Quan doesn't have any disciples by that name and Guo Zhi Long does not teach that stance. That can only mean one thing." A fierce smile curled on his lips. "So he has returned, has he? One of the few Japanese men that the Chinese tell horror stories about to their children: Uzumaki Naruto, the Hero of the Killing Fist."
"He's not a killer anymore!" She snapped at him angrily. "He's a good man! Don't you dare speak ill of him!"
"I am not speaking ill of him. They are just facts." He chuckled and took another drink from his gourd. "Your Master was a killing machine back in the days before he turned to Katsujinken, girl. I just have to wonder..." He jumped away but not before letting his final words ring.
"I wonder what path you will choose...in the end?"
Chronicles of Uzumaki Naruto - 5
"Where are you going to go now?" A shadowed figure asked from above him while resting on a tree comfortably.
Naruto scratched his chin in thought as he collected his bags. "I suppose I will be heading West this time. My Godfather may know of some things." He replied curtly. "Thank you for your help, Chief."
He looked back up to the tree to see that the man had disappeared. "I see that being a top class Martial Artist doesn't instill class into some people." The blonde muttered and left to continue his journey. He had found a Konoha base and found startling information about cohesive operations between them, Yami and other villainous groups who had similar agendas. It was all very worrisome.
As he crossed the Western plains, he found himself wandering into a random village. "Excuse me ma'm, I was wondering where the food merchant is?"
The woman - who had the biggest frowny face he had ever seen - pointed down the street. "Thank you."
There was something off about the place, he realized. The people were generally unhappy and the children lacked energy - something that rang alarm bells in his head. Just as he was buying some fruit, a booming voice came from the entrance of the town. It was a small man riding a large contraption - something that looked like a tank - and another humongous person next to him spoke through a voice enhancer. "Gato-sama has arrived to collect the monthly payment."
The merchant Naruto had been talking to shivered in fear. "Are you alright?" Naruto asked him. The person shook his head and turned to look away. "Who is that?"
"Fool! That's Gato of Mishima Zaibatsu!" The woman he had questioned from before shushed him. "You'll get in trouble if you talk too loud. Be quiet." Naruto couldn't help but notice she was loud herself. Shrugging, Naruto just collected his rations and went to go sit down by a nearby table to eat.
He was quietly watching the townsfolk surrender all of their profit with a frown. "What the hell is going on here?" As a martial artist who was well-versed in the Underworld, he knew of the terrible ways of Mishima Zaibatsu. They were one of the more openly known mercenary corporations Despite being known - the organization was incredibly evasive - not to mention that apparently, their reach went as far as small towns in China.
Had they been growing in power all this time?
The blonde didn't even notice when a tall man stood in front of him. He was too deep in thought. "Sir, please vacate this table. Gato-sama wishes to sit here."
Naruto didn't acknowledge him, irking the two a bit. "Sir, once again, please leave. Gato-sama owns this place. If you don't leave, I must remove you."
He was still ignored. Gato laughed all of a sudden and pointed at him. "Look, look! A rebel! How interesting." The short stubby man waved his arms around to gather the attention of the townspeople. "I want to show you all what happens to rebels around here! Jack, punish him for his insolence!"
"That idiot!" The woman from before screamed. "Run!"
Jack, as Gato called him, obeyed the command robotically and launched a punch at Naruto. The blonde merely stopped it with a finger before taking another bite of the fruit he bought. "Hasn't anyone ever told you that attacking a man during a meal is rude?" He spoke in between bites. "Your punch did not have any wasteful movements but your skill is average at best."
Jack did not answer, preferring to launch another onslaught of punches that were pushed back by fingers. "Just what are you?" Naruto asked.
Gato, who thought the man was losing since he had yet to attack, got arrogant and began boasting. "Jack is a cyborg developed by Mishima Zaibatsu! We have an army of them. Anyone who stands against us will be crushed!"
"A cyborg? I didn't realize technology was so advanced now-a-days..." Naruto replied nonchalantly. "Nonetheless, I'm going to end this."
"What do you mean?! Jack is too strong for you to handle! You're going to die a most painful death!"
Naruto just smiled, walked a fair distance away and re-positioned his straw-hat ominously to look at the cyborg. Jack ran at him to engage in another bout. "I have already determined your weakness, Jack-kun. You see, there is a weakness that you have that is easy to identify." He closed his eyes and dodged the array of punches without effort.
"From what I see, the movements are perfect. Too perfect - so perfect that I can predict them without even looking. It seems that robots move in a strict pattern that is very easy to telegraph. As long as I know your full speed and strength, I can do as I please. You may think it is good to move without wasting any movements but being too perfect is also a weakness. It doesn't matter how well developed robots are, they are programmed to move in singular ways." He rose a single finger from his left hand and pierced right into Jack's body a several times without effort.
"Leiji Zhipao (Lightning Finger Gun)." The damage inflicted was enough to shut down the opponent's body.
"W-what just happened?!" Gato fell to his rear, completely shocked by the defeat of his bodyguard. "J-jack?!"
"Don't worry, I instinctively held back any killing blows - he looks too human for my tastes." Naruto scoffed and walked up to the short man. "You will leave this village alone."
"And w-why is that!?" Gato tried to feign courage but it was easily seen through.
Naruto's eyes glinted mischievously under his hat. "You don't understand do you? China has many Heroes who are willing to take down this 'army' of machines your company has. They are nothing to real fighters." He stood abruptly and turned to leave the village.
And that was the day the village had celebrated the end of their suffering.
Naruto's performance that day would inspire them all to practice martial arts and that same village would soon generate great fighters of their own for years to come.
END
Poor Jack. Sorry Jack fans, he's just not on the level. Concerning him in this story, he's a (severely and utterly) under-powered version of Bartholomew Kuma from One Piece. He's just a robot. If he even makes it to my final script.
If you don't know who or what the Mishima Zaibatsu is, then...well, I don't know what to say. The game isn't exactly one for story for most people actually so I wouldn't be surprised. I don't think they'll be a huge part in this story, just a side villain - maybe. The main antagonist is still the same as canon.
Kensei vs. Sougetsu. I tried my best to describe it as an epic battle but to be honest, I just wanted to follow canon mostly for now. I did add things here and there to make the fight seem like Apachai vs. Agaard (WHICH WAS EPIC!). That fight is going to be tough to write for me. It was just too epic. Maybe I'll just tell you guys to read the manga for that one. That is beyond my skills of describing. Luckily, it is far in the future.
As many of you have now seen, this is not just a Naruto and Kenichi crossover. This story as I planned from the very beginning, is a multi-genre crossover that includes several series. Whether it is from the Wuxia-verse, games or anime/manga - I'm putting it in.
The martial arts world is HUGE. That's the point.
So, here is my new, updated disclaimer:
DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN NARUTO, KENICHI, STREET FIGHTER, LEGEND OF THE CONDOR HEROES, TEKKEN, RUROUNI KENSHIN AND MANY OTHER THINGS THAT WILL SOON BE MENTIONED. I DO OWN CLOUD DRAGON FIST...well actually, I technically don't since it is a mash-up of other styles - BUT OTHER THAN THAT, I DO NOT OWN IT!
As many may see, Wuxia elements are now involved in this story. Ki, inner strength and martial arts. And for those asking, I kindly referenced a certain skill that you've been talking about. Beggars is the key word.
***Also, there is something that desperately needs to be addressed. Look, my readers, not all of the guest characters crossing over will feature in the story. That would be too much to write. I do that for fun, they are just to amuse people on a whim. Sure, some may appear but not all of them. The story follows the same line as Kenichi but will deviate once I get to the planning point. That's how it will work.
If many people think I'm making fun of Kenichi, I'm really not. That's his strength level and beliefs in canon. I'm also mentioning Yami a bit earlier this time.
Also, if you guys need a complete list of moves for Honoka...I'll do it if you want. Only the ones that have been mentioned. As you can see, she has a vast array of moves like the current Kenichi.
EDIT: A reviewer (Thanathos) - kindly pointed out that a cyborg is technically part human. Since I am not well-versed in the differences between a robot and a cyborg, I did not know this at all. So I thank him. Now, Naruto did not just kill a part human accidentally. Although, it does sound like something he would do.
Have a nice day.