Image

The unconscious Kenichi was taken away by a blonde girl named Miu, and not so surprisingly the Elder's granddaughter. After that was done all the masters gathered and Ohma finally felt that he was going to get some straight answers.

"How did you get to meet Ogata?" Akisame asked solemnly.

Right now all masters of the dojo sat around Ohma, surrounding him and if truth be told: It was not comfortable to be in.

"I don't know that guy, I am just tracking him down to find out about an associate of his," Ohma answered then questioned, "Now my question is how do I find him?"

"That boy is a wanderer." Elder said, "He isn't the one to stay in one place for long. Even if you find his location, he would be gone before you reach him and then again how are you sure that you will get what you want from him?"

"I will ask politely," Ohma replied getting up, "Well this was pretty much useless."

"Hold on, young man," Akisame said, "You are far from ready to make a polite request to my former disciple."

"How strong is he then?" Ohma asked.

"You saw Apachai's performance earlier. Ogata is around the same level." Akisame answered.

Ohma looked to Apachai, the Muay Thai giant who fist turned stone statues into a crumble before turning to leave. If had his old well-trained body maybe things would be different, but his current one was still growing. "Then I'll be ready by the time I meet him."

"Maybe you will but there is also a high possibility that you won't." The Elder remarked.

Ohma looked over his shoulder. "What are you trying to say, Old man?"

The Elder replied, "I am offering you a choice to join this dojo as a disciple."

"I already have the martial arts I need."

"But you don't have a place to train it or improve yourself here except this dojo."

Ohma turned around. "What's the game here old man? Why are you helping me against your old disciple?"

"Join my dojo and maybe I'll tell you."

Ohma paused for a moment before turning back to leave and said, "I'll think about it."

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

Ohma left and silent pressure enveloped the room. Sasaki, Shigure and Apachai remained silent, this was between the three oldest of Ryozanpaku.

Kensei was the first to start. "There are many things I don't question you about. This isn't one of them. Are you sure to train a disciple on that path?"

"I am with the Elder on this," Akisame said.

"Akisame..."

Akisame interjected, "All those lives lost were the consequences of our action Kensei. If we had been a bit careful so many wouldn't have died."

"That's a mistake I don't want to make again." Kensei said, "You know someone who yearns vengeance when you see it and that takes them to ---"

"Path of Shura," Akisame said finishing Kensei's words.

Then an elderly laugh echoed in the room. It was the Elder laughing at them like a grown man watching children play.

"I warned you both Ogata, that time you didn't listen, this time I want you to listen."

"-But Elder."

"Compassion. Compassion is what lack Ogata lacked, it was what drove him to the Slaughter Path, but that's not the problem with this boy. Compassion is the only thing one needs to become a fist of living giving."

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

The night came quickly in Ohma's new mansion, he lay on the bed thinking as sleepiness slowly crept its way into him. It was in a dream-like state where Ohma stood in the empty arena of the Kengan tournament.

Image training, a method Tokita Niko taught him, a technique which allows the user to simulate imaginary fights to prepare for the real ones and improve his reaction speed.

"As strong as him huh..." Ohma mumbled. "Then let's train with him."

A large figure formed in front, taking a Muay Thai stance, it was Apachai Hopachai.

Ohma took his stance and stepped forward then came the first attack.

"Apa."

Apachai swung his arm for a left jab. Ohma dodged back and then came in with a low kick to the back of the leg.

'Niko Style: Flame Kata.'

Ohma was too slow, Apachai came in with his own low kick taking Ohma off his feet. It felt at that moment as though someone stabbed him in his calves.

"Apa."

'Adamantine Kata: Ironbreaker.'

Ohma kicked, his muscles tensed before the moment his heel collided with Apachai's guard staggering him a bit.

'Looks like I need a boost.'

Ohma's fist went for the exposed midsection. Blood ran through his heart faster than before, his skin turned red, and the sclera in his eyes turned all black.

'Processing Spirit: Advance.'

"Apa."

The Ironbreaker punch powered by Advanced landed on the spot doing next to no damage. Apachai didn't stop and came in with a clutch and raised knee ready to strike.

'Phantom Pace.'

Apachai caught empty air as Ohma dodged sideways and came in with a swift elbow.

'Adamantine Kata: Blast.'

It was a direct hit to the liver, Apachai groaned but didn't stop and delivered a spinning elbow right to the back of Ohma's head. It was a knockout, Ohma's vision turned blurry as fell to the ground and Apachai's body dissipated into emptiness.

Ohma rolled onto his back, and all his pain and injuries disappeared. "In real life that would mean death, in real life his strikes would be stronger."

Ohma paused for a moment.

"I am simply lacking the physical level to do any significant damage."

Ohma leapt and landed on his feet. The figure of Apachai appeared again.

"But now for now I can go for another round. This time with Water and Redirection."