55 Forest 

Azuma stayed a couple of weeks with his mother, besides gaining an unknown disciple, other things had also happened, Kenichi had his first encounter with Ryūto. He stood no chance against him, prompting the other masters to increase, once again, the intensity of his training.

However, Hayato thought it wouldn't be enough, Ryūto already knew Seikūken and unless Kenichi learned it, his next fight against him would end in defeat. Concluding, Kenichi needed some….. private training, the Elder took him to a mountain.

This little trip would serve two purposes, first, teach Kenichi, second, test his stance on Katsujinken and Satsujinken. Hayato knew Ogata was living on that mountain, his eldest son had told him that after joining Yami, with only a few months passing, Ogata had left, telling them his location and to only look for him in case of an emergency. The true reason for his isolation is unknown, but rumors told that he was there to contemplate.

His presence on the mountain would prove a perfect test for Kenichi, Azuma and Saiga had both told Hayato that Ogata, outside of martial arts was non-aggressive, but his deep belief in Satsujinken would make him express his point of view.

The other masters didn't know that Ogata was actually near Kenichi, the only master aware of this was Akisame. As worried or nervous he was about his disciple, he knew that this was a decision Kenichi would need to make for himself, without intervention from anyone, be it him, the elder, or the rest of his fellow masters.

After his first defeat against his childhood friend, Kenichi was angry, angry at himself, his weakness, and Ryūto. Akisame and Hayato, believe that this was the chance to indirectly make Kenichi decide between Katsujinken or Satsujinken.

This was all a giant gamble Akisame and Hayato would be taking, so after thinking of the countless possibilities to allow Kenichi to make a decision, this one was the best.

After arriving at the mountain, the elder purposefully chose the area where they would be staying, being near enough to Ogata's location. Using Kenichi's anger Hayato also told him he was forbidden from using martial arts, making Kenichi doubt if this trip was actually for training.

This did not mean Hayato did not train Kenichi, at least no in a conventional way, his teaching being hidden on small activities for Kenichi, such as hunting or finding food. Knowing the boy would fail, Hayato then easily getting the food, would task Kenichi with stealing it from him.

The main event started once Kenichi, not understanding what Hayato was doing, started training by himself, shouting "Watch out Ryūto."

Not realizing a figure was spying on him, obviously, this person was Ogata quite interested in the boy, as the name Kenichi shouted was his disciple's after all. With his interest peaked, Ogata waited for a time to approach the boy, and get a sense of him.

The opportunity quickly presented itself, as Kenichi, not being able to get enough food passed out, allowing Ogata to 'rescue' him.

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As all of this was happening, in Ryōzanpaku, the masters noticed Akisame was nervous, prompting him to have to explain why.

He started by telling the others, besides Kensei, about the man Kenichi would or has met in the mountain, about how Ogata was once a disciple in Ryōzanpaku, but his bloodlust and behavior made the masters that were present at the time expel him.

Although his explanation vague, Akisame did tell them about Ogata's killings, making the worrywart Shigure and tsundere Sakaki, become incredibly worried about their disciple, Akisame just told them that this was Kenichi's decision to make and that Kenichi was in no actual danger, not before adding that the Elder would probably intervene if he thinks Kenichi is falling to Satsujinken.

While Akisame's explanation appeased them, it did not decrease their worries.

._._._._._._._._.

Waking up confused Kenichi worried, noticing a man beside him, he quickly became nervous, shouting to Ogata, "Who are you? Where am I?"

Ogata only smiled calmly, "I found you unconscious in the woods, I was quite worried about you. There are bears in this forest after all."

Kenichi quickly became nervous thinking about being eaten by a bear, thanking Ogata for saving him. He explained that he was training to beat his childhood friend.

Faking surprise Ogata asked why he wanted to fight against his friend, Kenichi only telling him that Ryūto stole a precious thing from him, a pin.

With a nod of understating Ogata told Kenichi that he should stay here until the person that brought him to the forest returns to get him.

In gratitude, Kenichi started to do the manual work for Ogata, be it chopping wood, or getting fresh water for him. While he was getting the water a bear spotted him, scaring Kenichi, and making him scream, scream which Ogata heard, rushing to Kenichi, Ogata told him to get away.

As usual, the boy did exactly the opposite, staying to watch. Noticing how Ogata rapidly transformed from the kind smiling man he saw to a person ready for a fight, with a huge smile on his face, bloodlust leaking from him. The change only scared Kenichi, wondering if Ogata was a martial artist.

Once Ogata engaged against the bear, Hayato knew, this was the start for Kenichi.

As Ogata fought against the bear, Kenichi became increasingly disgusted with the fight, Ogata's brutality on his fight, fight which ended quickly once Ogata killed the bear, shell-shocking Kenichi as this was the first time he had seen dead.

Still sacred of Ogata, Kenichi backed away, only for the man to kindly smile at Kenichi, asking if he could accompany him, to a waterfall, as his clothes are stained with blood.

Cautious but still grateful for his rescue, Kenichi followed Ogata. In the waterfall, Kenichi was cleaning Ogata's clothes, while the man bathe.

Starting the conversation, Ogata told Kenichi, "You are quite interesting, as I said before, I am a martial artist, and I can tell, you have a great foundation."

Confused, Kenichi only replied, "Foundation?"

Calmly explaining Ogata answered, "Yes, foundation, imagine the construction process of a building, that which allows it to grow steadily and safely. Whoever your sensei is, they are planning something with you." Not allowing Kenichi to talk, Ogata continued, "I don't know what they are planning, but you could follow me, and become more powerful than any high schooler could ever be."

Astonished, the boy only asked, "Really?"

Ogata only laughed, going straight to the point, "Kenichi, would you like to become my disciple?"

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Quite embarrassed Kenichi denied his request, "Sorry, I've only recently gotten to martial arts, but I know I want to become strong to protect the people precious to me."

Ogata was surprised, then he quickly became angry, unconsciously releasing his ki at the boy, telling him, "You remind me of one of the people I hate the most."

Kenichi feared for his life, his leg was slightly injured due to the bear, he wanted nothing but to run, but then Ogata only laughed, smiling once again. Telling him, "That's really too bad."

Quickly apologizing with his hands, "Sorry, sorry, but the elder told me I couldn't practice any techniques here, besides, I don't think my body could handle more Sensei."

This time was Ogata's turn to be surprised, "Wait, You have more than one master?"

Tilting his head, wondering why Ogata was surprised, Kenichi added, "Is it uncommon to have more than one sensei? Because I have five."

Realizing what was Kenichi talking about Ogata laughed, there was only one possibility of who could his sensei be, and it amused Ogata to no end. Patting the boy in the head, "Walk your own path Kenichi Shirahama."

After his line, Ogata left Kenichi alone, wondering where was he, and how would he find the elder.

Ogata stayed to make sure Kenichi found Hayato, after making sure he was safe, Ogata left the forest, cursing at the Elder for using him as training for the boy. However he was quite excited, Kenichi was going to fight his own disciple, he knew exactly where he was going, no way he could miss the fun.