Ryozanpaku

It was mid-day and the car had just entered Koryuu City. Tokita Ohma was slumped on the backseat with his eyes closed. Forget about mountaintop monasteries, true zen is on the backseat of a smooth silent drive. Then within a few minutes, it was over. The car stopped.

"We are here." Ohma heard Haruto say as he opened his eyes.

Ohma nodded and opened the door without glancing outside the window before he jumped out. He stood outside the large open metal gates with bounded walls. The house which it lead to was a recently renovated mansion with a large bunker.

The driver seat opened and Haruto walked out. "You like this place?"

Ohma's eyes moved to survey the scene before he gave a satisfied smile. "It will do just fine for time being."

" *Sigh* I am going to miss you, you know that, kid?" Haruto said, "I have to deal with assholes clients again from now on."

"And I have to deal with the assholes delinquents of area," Ohma said while taking his first step inside his new home.

"You sure you will be fine?" Haruto asked. "I mean this place has pretty high crime rates."

"You know me for two years, what do you think?"

Haruto snickered. "You'll be just fine. But you never know, so just care yourself." He stepped back into the car, shared one last glance with ohma before driving away. Ohma still just stood there pulling a photograph of a man out of his pocket.

"Looks like I am getting closer to you, Isshinsai Ogata."

*************************

'Ryōzanpaku.' Kenichi thought. The name of Miu's recommended Dojo. The map she gave was unreadable for him. How Honoka translated all this was a wonder, but at least now he seemed to be on the right direction.

"About 100 meters after the next turn."

'Alright, just another more 100 to go and my heart is already is beating fast.' Kenichi thought. 'I am already getting nervous.'

Kenichi looked forward to finding a tall boy with seaweed-like hair standing there in the next corner, who looked to be about his age. The boy was just standing there staring at a piece of paper, by the looks it seemed he was searching for an address.

Kenichi approached him. "Hey."

The boy looked at Kenichi. "Excuse me, can you tell me how to find this place?"

'Well, I am not in a hurry anyway.' Kenichi thought. "Why don't I'll help you out."

"That will be great." The boy smiled. "There is this dojo called Ryōzanpaku, not a popular place from what I have heard."

"Ryōzanpaku!" Kenichi exclaimed. "That's where I am going."

"Really?" The boy threw him a look. "Yeah, a friend recommended that place to me."

"Why don't we go together then?" The boy asked, "If you don't mind."

"It's fine, it's just about 100 meters away," Kenichi said. 'Goodness, I found someone, I was getting nervous going in there alone.'

Kenichi walked ahead while the boy followed behind with his hands in the pockets. There was much not say until they reached the dojo.

"This is huge," Kenichi said standing in front of a thick wood that stood more than three times taller than him. "Are we in right place?"

"I don't know the board says 'Ryōzanpaku', " The boy said, "What do you think?"

Kenichi sighed and rushed for the gate. "Only one way to find out."

He pushed the gate with all his might and it didn't even bulge much less made a small gap.

"Hold on, let me help." The boy came from behind. "Here, why don't you let me try."

But before he could move a stranger's muscular hand reach past them and with one finger pushed the doors open.

Turning around Kenichi saw the same shock he had on the boy's face. The hand belonged giant of an old man, or close to a giant at least. The old man standing before them was massive in a long green kimono, which clung tightly to his heavily muscular body, bandages wrapped around his arms which were most likely for Martial Arts and he also wore sandals. He had a build that makes a professional bodybuilder look puny by comparison. He was way over 6 or 7 feet tall with fair skin, blue eyes and blonde hair. His hair reaches to his mid-back and he also had a chest-length beard along with a moustache.

"What business brings you here, young ones?" The old man asked softly. "To our Ryozanpaku?"

Kenichi didn't know but his survival instincts just flared up. "B-Business ah, I was just leaving!"

He pressed his shoes on the ground and ran before he bumped into something hard just fell.

Kenichi just looked completely bewildered, looking back and forth from where the old man is to where he was. "What the…?! Did you just, warp!?" He then started shaking and quietly asked. "How'd you do that?"

"Judging by the look on your face I'm not sure you could handle the answer to that question." The old man said.

'That was embarrassing. Why did I do that?'

"Sorry." Kenichi got up and faced the old man, excited. "By any chance, are you a Martial Arts Master?"

The old man cheerfully laughed. "Haha, I wouldn't call myself a Master but, ever since my younger days I've never lost a fight."

"And I haven't lost a fight in a while." The boy stepped forward

"Is that so? Then I think you'll like it here." The old ma told him happily.

"S-Sir, I'm Kenichi Shirahama and this is....." Kenichi introduced before coming to a halt.

"Ohma Tokita." The boy introduced himself. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

Kenichi slowly stood removing the just off his clothes. "I was sent here by Miu Furinji, it's both an honour and a pleasure to meet you."

"Settle down." The boy named Ohma told him drily.

"That was quite an impressive introduction young man, your manners are excellent but there's no need to be formal around here." The old man stroked his beard and walked through the gate. "So then, Miu sent you two huh?"

"Yes," Kenichi confirmed following him inside.

"Not me, I came here to ask about something," Ohma commented.

"Oh," The old man stroked his beard. "What would that be?"

"About the former disciple of this dojo."

Kenichi saw the old man freeze for a moment, like all movements within him just ceased just before relaxing.

"Why don't you come in?" The old man said, "We'll talk inside."