Kenichi awoke feeling sore all over. "What happened?"
The question soon became rhetorical as he remembered his undeniable loss. Before he opened his eyes he felt an oppressive menace in the air.
"Your about to enter a hell unlike anything you've seen before."
"Don't be so harsh Akisame. Our disciple isn't a total loser. Of course if he keeps failing like this. Who knows? He may never win a fight again!" Sakaki stated with irritation
"Alright Kenichi, how about you explain yourself. Takeda only caught the end of your bout with this Tsuji person." Kensei stopped speaking leaving a gap for the boy to fill.
"Yes masters." So the brunette explained the situation. While he didn't mention Renka's name. He explained he was out with his girlfriend when the incident occurred.
Hours later after their disciple went home...
"My friends this is simply unacceptable. As the boy is now, this delinquent group will not only grow stronger. They will crush the boys spirit."
"Come now elder, this won't be the last incident. However, I'm certain he isn't fragile enough for one loss to stop his momentum." Akisame grinned sinisterly after his statement. "Besides I have a plan."
Miu crept up to the meeting of the other residents. She kept up the pretense of cleaning. Given how skilled everyone was she couldn't be too careful. So she listened with rapt attention.
"Really Akisame, what do you have in mind?" Sakaki expressed with excitement.
"We shall make him a resident disciple. I call it operation "Martial arts or death!"
"That's brilliant Akisame, we've been far to lax thus far!"
"Maybe the elder is right. The boy has become like a son to me. So maybe I've been negligent out of fear for his life." Kensei clearly had mixed emotions on the matter.
"Are you all sure, he really might die. Appachai is worried."
"Sounds like fun. Will I get to teach him techniques now?"
"Of course Shigure. After all he really oly has one option if he wishes to live." The jujitsu master began laughing heartily. The others joined in as well.
Meanwhile, at home asleep. Kenichi shivered violently as his pleasant dream became a nightmare.
Next day as evening fell...
"There you go Kenichi take a break. We're all considerate of your well being at Ryozanpaku." Akisame smiled as he gently patted the boys back.
"Alright this has gotten too weird. Why is everyone acting so out of character?"
"What do you mean Kenichi? Kindness is our goal around here." Sakaki smiled in a creepy way.
"Yeah, no it isn't. At this point I want to do some mit work with Appachai. At least I know he couldn't deceive a blind and deaf squirrel."
The Muy Tai master was so excited he raced towards his student. Appachai is here Ken..."
Just as the teenage boy turned towards the giant. A golden haired shadow nearly as tall practically engulfed him. Expertly covering his mouth and vanishing around a corner.
The brunette was genuinely confused now. 'Was that the elder?'
"You do like it here, right Kenichi?"
"Of course master Koetsuji. So stop being deceptive and tell me what's going on."
Shio rested his arm across the boys shoulder. "Great kid, I knew you had the guts for this."
"Um, for what exactly?"
"To become a resident disciple of course." After those words Kensei began to explain the many benefits of living at Ryozanpaku.
Kenichi's stomach felt like it dropped into his ankles. Then he remembered the worried look on Renka's face. Before Tsuji nearly crippled him. He had to get stronger so his girl had no reason to fear for him again. "I'll do it I just have to get approval from mom and dad." Suddenly, he realized he missed most of the Kenpo masters explanation. "Wait, what was that about day and night fan service?"
"Oh nothing, you must of misheard me." That was when the balding man remembered his student had a girlfriend. 'I wonder if she would pose for a camera.'
A fews days later...
"Good luck at school you two." Kensei smiled
"Break a leg, Ap pa pa!"
"Listen to your teachers." Akisame stated flatly.
"Don't do anything I wouldn't do." Sakaki said with a slight flush to his cheeks.
As the two teenagers excited the gate it closed behind. Then the four masters currently at Ryozanpaku turned to face each other.
"Alright we all agreed on 'Rock, Paper, Scissors' to decide."
"Yeah Akisame, we know."
Sakaki, shouldn't you be sober for this."
"It's fine Kensei. I was so happy to hear he got his first girlfriend. I decided to have a little celebration in his honor since he can't drink yet."
"Appachai wants to see his new friend that is a girl, let's do hand game now."
Route to school...
Kenichi shivered unexpectedly as Renka leaned against his arm.
"You alright Kenichi? Are you coming down with a summer cold?" The Chinese girl asked with concern.
"Sorry Renka I think I'm just a bit fatigued from my new training regime.
"That's not surprising your masters can be slave drivers. Are we still on for Sunday?"
"Of course, they've all been surprisingly understanding."
"Good to know. Too bad we can't have the whole day together. However, I'll take what I can get."
The couple held hands as Miu walked in front. not a single one noticed the single figure following in the trees.
After school...
"Hey Shirahama wait up."
"Tsuji, what an unexpected surprise." To his shock he saw the bigger man had one arm in a sling. What happened to you?"
"Don't act you didn't know that girl of yours did this. She is a lot tougher than she looks."
"I'm sorry about that Tsuji, but given the circumstances. You honestly got off easy." She really should have told him though.
"You may be right Shirahama. However, I'm here for a reason. Thanks to her my crew abandoned me. Except for two of the other guys she injured. Anyway I want a real fight man to man. To settle things once and for all."
"Alright, I admit I owe you that much. How about we swap cell phone numbers. Then when your feeling better you pick the spot and let me know."
"Sounds good, your surprisingly honorable for a wuss."
"Don't push my sympathy too far Tsuji." Then the two guys shook hands making a pact.