Karasuma stood in front of the students who were doing 1-on-1 sparring with each other. "I gotta say, Karasuma taking over our training is more comforting than Saikyo-sensei's methods," Megumi commented as she watched the sparring matches unfold. "I know it's actual experience training and not just martial arts." Sora added.
Saikyo-sensei stood beside Karasuma, while sitting crossed legged on the ground, slurping ramen. "I'll excuse that comment since someone actually has a chance of beating me."
Karasuma blew his whistle; signaling for the kids to stop. He then walked up to Saikyõ. "Oh yeah I've been meaning to ask you about that. Who were those guys that came over earlier?"
Saikyo-sensei paused mid-slurp, a contemplative look on his face. "Ah, yes, those fellows. Well, they were representatives from a rather... interesting organization." He set down his bowl of ramen, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand.
Karasuma raised an eyebrow, his gaze expectant. "An organization? Care to elaborate?"
Saikyo chuckled, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Don't worry about it bro. Don't be so serious." Saikyõ put his hand on Karasuma's shoulder but Karasuma smacked it off.
Saikyõ had a confused face as this happened. He then saw Karasuma remove his jacket. "Look, the goal is to kill you, but you also signed a contract saying no children would get hurt in the process. If these kids are in trouble I need to know." His face was dead serious and the students all gathered around them.
"Saik- I mean Dyu Lee, I'm going to take you up on that sparring offer." He got into a fighting stance. Saikyõ observed this and got excited. "Finally, let's g-" As Saikyõ was about to get ready, Karasuma wasted no time to throw a roundhouse kick to him and send him crashing into a tree, causing the students to gasp in fear.
Saikyõ coughed as he stood up from the tree and cracked his back. He saw a foot imprint on his hand as looked at Karasuma, who was walking towards him. "Uhh, Karasuma, this is supposed to be a demonstration for the kids, you could tone it down." He nervously suggested and anxiously ducked as a punch came his way.
"A demonstration? What are you talking about? We're supposed to kill you under government order. But, if you explain exactly what's going on, I won't kill you." Karasuma explained and put his guard back up.
Saikyõ's face darkened and he stood up and wiped the dust off his clothes. "Then I guess you'll have to kill me then." Karasuma threw another punch, but this time Saiykõ kicked his foot and aikido threw him.
Karasuma grunted as he hit the ground, but quickly rolled back into a standing position, his eyes narrowed. "So be it. I didn't want it to come to this, but if you won't cooperate, I have no choice."
Saikyo slid into a defensive stance, his expression grim. "I'm sorry, Karasuma, but I can't tell you what you want to know. There are... complications involved."
The students watched with bated breath as the two formidable fighters circled each other, the air thick with tension. Megumi gripped Sora's arm, her knuckles turning white. "What's going on? Why are they fighting?" she whispered urgently.
Sora shook his head, his brow furrowed in worry. "I don't know, but it seems serious. Karasuma-sensei is usually so composed. Whatever's going on, it must be important."
Karasuma and Saikyo exchanged a flurry of blows, their movements a blur to the students' eyes. The sound of flesh striking flesh echoed through the training grounds as neither man held back.
Suddenly, Karasuma feinted a kick, then swept Saikyo's legs out from under him. Saikyo crashed to the ground, but rolled away just in time to avoid Karasuma's follow-up strike.
Breathing heavily, Saikyo glared at Karasuma. "I won't tell you, but I won't let you kill me. Kids," as Saikyõ said this, the kid's turned to him. "Close your eyes."
As he said this they turned around and closed their eyes. "Alright Karasuma, I'll fight you, but seriously." He removed his clothes and folded them, revealing his physique. He put his arms on his hips and smiled cockily. "Jeez, all you do is talk." Karasuma dashed at him and attacked, but a beam of light (invisible kick light) was sent to him before he was kicked out of nowhere by Saikyõ.
Karasuma grunted as he was struck by the unseen force, his eyes widening in surprise. He skidded backwards, regaining his footing just in time to block Saikyo's next attack.
The students gasped and flinched as they heard the thunderous impacts, but kept their eyes tightly shut as instructed. Megumi and Sora clung to each other, their knuckles turning white.
Karasuma and Saikyo traded blows, their movements becoming a blur. It was clear that Saikyo had unlocked some kind of hidden move, one that gave him an edge in the fight.
"What is this?" Karasuma growled, his brow furrowed in concentration as he struggled to keep up with Saikyo's onslaught. "How are you doing this?"
Saikyo chuckled, a manic gleam in his eyes. "Wouldn't you like to know, Karasuma? Let's just say I've been holding back. A lot."
Karasuma saw multiple beams of light and was then hit with another barrage of invisible strikes, each one hitting its mark with devastating force. Karasuma gritted his teeth, feeling the bruises forming on his body.
Saikyõ stopped and looked at Karasuma. "My father is Tom Lee of the white tiger job center in Seoul, Korea. I never really knew him when I was younger then once I turned 16 he came to me and fought me. Every day 24/7 it was gruesome and torture. He Taught me everything I know. Then when I turned 18 I became the king of Jeju Island. Then I was almost taken down by one man. Those people that came were a group called HNH. Charles Choi is the leader." He sighed and helped Karasuma up. "That's all I'm telling you for now. You should rest up. I'll take care of the class for now."
Karasuma stared at Saikyo, his expression unreadable. He slowly stood up, wincing slightly at the pain in his body.
"HNH, huh? I see." Karasuma's eyes narrowed as he processed the information. "And this Charles Choi is their leader?"
Saikyo nodded, a serious look on his face. "Yeah, that's right. They're a powerful organization, and they've got their sights set on me. I can't let them drag these kids into it."
Karasuma rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "So that's why you don't hold back in our training sessions. You're trying to make them protect themselves?."
The students watched the exchange with rapt attention, their earlier fear replaced by a sense of awe and respect for their two teachers.
Megumi spoke up, her voice soft but determined. "Sensei, we want to help. We may not be as strong as you, but we're not just helpless kids. Let us fight by your side."
Saikyõ yelled and used Karasuma's body to cover him. "What the hell is wrong with you kids?! I'm only in my underwear! Do you want me to go to prison?! 100 flips for all of you now!" The kids groaned and complained.
Karasuma glanced at Dyu. "I have a feeling this won't just be a average thing where the kids eventually like then kill you at the end, will it?" He asked with a sigh. "Yeah, we might have to kill some people." Dyu responded while putting his clothes back on. "I'm willing to if I have to." Karasuma responded.
"Yay! Best friends?" Dyu said excitedly and put his hand out for a fist bump. Karasuma looked at his fist and looked up. "Sure." He then bumped Dyu's hand with his fist.