'My whole body is shaking. This jumped up thug is no joke for sure. My desire to save this stranger may be foolish. However, Renka and Miu have shown me that caring is enough.' Kenichi's brooding lasted a few seconds, but in that time he was committed. His black haired senior charged without remorse.

"Man, did you get slower pathe..." The sports Karate fighter was caught completely off guard. He backed up trying to recover from the surprising gut shot. "You cheater the Yamazuki, how dare you!"

"Seems I have to remind you the difference between a fight and a match, Sukuba!" His new teacher was certainly right. He needed to focus. His opponent wasn't inclined to wait for him to act. Thanks to Appachai. He could actually follow the black belts moves this time.

"Shirahama, I'll kill you!" He launched a devastating high kick intended to break bones. To his surprise the kid managed to stop the blow with a leg hold. He then used his own momentum to slam him in to the nearby stone wall. An audible crack was heard as blackness took him.

"Kenichi-kun are you alright?" Miu had rushed over as soon as the battle was clearly over.

The brunette visibly flinched at the crunching sound. He knelt immediately checking his senior's vitals as best he could. "Dear Buddah, he's still alive!" Then he tried to determine if he broke as many bones as it sounded. Several cracked shells scattered across the ground.

"Walnuts, what on earth?" Miu was very confused at the moment. "Don't worry Kenichi-kun. Thanks to our sparring matches. I can tell your capacities. He'll be bruised for awhile, but nothings broken."

As relief calmed him. He could of sworn he heard the distant echo of thunder. Then before he could ponder it further he felt softness against his back and blushed. "Renka?"

"Ahh, I'm so happy you could sense me so easily. That was an excellent adaption of a throw. Your definitely learning the Chinese style well." She wrapped her arms around him and kissed his cheek affectionately.

"I wouldn't call it sensing you exactly, Renka." He knew no one, but her would be so shameless with her feelings. 'Though, I could definitely get use to this.' Suddenly, he felt a dark presence and looked into Miu's cold eyes.

"Kenichi you still have training to do today!" What was wrong with her? No matter, it didn't change the facts. That her statement was still true. So she dragged the boy away as her female friend reluctantly released him.

"This is a major scoop! Kenichi my friend, you have no idea what's coming next." Perhaps people weren't as predictable as he always thought. His survival instinct suddenly demanded his attention as he heard bells.

"Really Nijima-kun is that so. How about you share it with your classmate then." The Chinese girl smiled in a way that her mother often used to get a particularly difficult student to listen.

"Uh sure Ma-san, someone needs to know anyway." This girl made him feel at once needed and foolish. 'Hm, I'll have to update her stats when we're done talking.' He laughed to try to break the tension. "Well my dear, tell me what you know of Ragnarok and I'll fill in the blanks I can." Then the two teenagers walked and chatted.

Next day...

"There he is don't make eye contact."

"Oh no, I need to go faster or I'm done for.

"Hey what's..." Another student rushed by trying not to look at him. Kenichi had never felt like such an outsider in his life.

"Hey Kenichi-kun, what's up?" Miu dropped from a tree above the bench he was sitting on.

"Hi Miu, did I do something wrong? Everyone seems terrified of me now." The boy was growing more concerned as his blonde friend hesitated to answer.

"Umm, about that." Soon the question answered itself before she could.

"Listen one and all, Sukuba the terrible has been brutally crushed!" Haruo happily tossed flyers explaining his buddies victory in just one move.

Before the brown haired boy could stop himself. He charged the journalist at full speed. His only thought was to stop the rumor monger. However, someone else with a clearer head intervened first.

"Nijima-kun I thought we talked about this." Renka smiled in a manipulative manner once again.

"Have you heard about a little thing called. Freedom of the press Renka-kun?" He noticed Miu arrive and mentally prepared to alter his form of address for his newest friend.

Nearby a group of three glared at one of the papers. A blue haired guy in the center angrily managed to punch the thin sheet into pieces. Then the youngest broke away to do something and the remaining pair continued walking away.

Nijima smiled broadly as he saw the display then turned to his friends who saw it as well. "They must be from Ragnarok." He leaned on his male pal and continued speaking. "You remember that gang I mentioned that Sukuba-san was in with. Looks like their eyes are on you now Kenichi-kun. Do be careful I still have plans for you buddy." Then he laughed maniacally and rushed off hoping to gather some Intel on the newest threat to his longterm scheme.

Ryozanpaku...

"You have got to be kidding me you all knew this would happen." The masters and Miu all nodded in unison. "You all know I hate fighting. Why would you keep this from me?"

"What does it matter Kenichi? Battle and life are true companions." Sakaki sighed heavily. The boy wasn't getting it.

Miu looked worried and tried to explain in a different way. "Have you ever heard the proverb. When a man walks out his gate he faces seven enemies."

"What their trying to say is. No matter your intentions. When you defeat one enemy there will always be another waiting to take their place." Akisame smiled as he watched recognition in his students fearful gaze.

"I understand sensei. I wish it wasn't true, but the question is. How can I prepare better for the coming storm?" He rose confidently as his weak knees shook. 'Renka faced a member of the Chinese Triad without hesitation. The least I can do is handle some street gang.'

Shirahama residence...

"What are you talking about son?" The patriarch of the house glared with purpose.

"For now, all I can do is train every weekend. Otherwise I'm already doomed from the start." Kenichi felt desperate yet committed.

"Onii-chan don't go!" Honoka held her brother with all her strength. She simply didn't have enough to keep him there.

Saori felt a stirring of emotion to stop him herself. However, this new path he chose for himself. "Enough, I know hiding or running used to be his way. This dojo has given him a way to face his fears head on. So do your best my little boy."

The youngest child wasn't convinced. So as he left she retrieved the map to his destination and copied it.

Ryozanpaku...

"In celebration of your new stage of training. I have a special offer for you." Kensei pulled out his latest artistic masterpieces. Two full color photo books featuring Miu and Shigure. "Half off the usual cover price just for you Kenichi-kun."

The teenager reflexively reached for his wallet. That was quite a deal. His hands shook as he realized the longterm consequences. 'When he finds out about his daughter and me he might really kill me.' Unable to speak he moved his head negatively.

Kensei was at a loss. Normally the boy leaped at the chance for these amazing one of a kind volumes. "What you don't want them?" He gave his usual sad look. That had made the kid cave in the past.

Then he remembered. Renka had said it was okay to have such things before. How could he deny his masters heartfelt reward. "Fine you got a deal." He handed over the money reluctantly. He would have to consider this endearing himself to her dad.