The neighborhood remained unchanged: dirty streets, filled with graffiti, with thugs and groups scattered here and there. Kei arrived at the underground building, the gang commanded by the Kure clan, to gather intelligence, buy poisons, and acquire heavy weapons like gunpowder or nitroglycerin.
-Ohhh, the prodigal son. You haven't shown your face to the gang for a week, - said Bokuda, who, after a long time, respected Kei's tenacity and finally broke his silent treatment.
-I haven't been in contact, and I've been training very hard to excel in the organization, - said Kei, who had explicit permission to be absent due to his development and fighting potential.
-Hiyo will be pleased; the business is delayed. The kids we've chosen haven't been as capable as you in carrying out tasks without breaking the rules, and now we have to pay for the deliveries. We might need to go out and gather funds if we don't find an outstanding kid,- said Bokuda.
The tall man, with a firm back, was an expert in takedowns and street fighting. His size belied his skill, but Kei was catching up to him. The insurmountable wall was Hiyo Kure, who had a special ability.
-What bad luck, but the job is crap and you guys pay little. Life is precious, and the kids who die without knowing why will reach out from hell on the day death visits your beds. I fear for every one of the kids you send to their deaths,- said Kei.
Bokuda just grunted, but he saw that some flinched at Kei's words, like fierce needles piercing their hearts. The image of a painful death, experienced through the guilt of dying, is something that keeps some people awake at night.
-The only thing that keeps me awake is not having a damsel between my legs,- commented a gang member, causing communal laughter.
-Well, as true as that is, I have some matters to settle with Hiyo. Take care, everyone,- said Kei, entering the boss's room. Hiyo was checking some things on a thick, black, military-looking computer.
-Hiyo, it's a pleasure to see you,- said Kei, reviving some of the love and hate he felt for Hiyo Kuro.
-Save your words. What do you want? Are you here to collect favors?- said Hiyo Kure.
-I just came to know the schedule or if there's any assignment. Also, you should know a new organization has started to emerge. They seem to recruit young fighters from institutes. From the rumors I've heard, they have very powerful fighters, students of a man who can turn rocks to dust, whose fists can break steel, and other such nonsense,- said Kei, using the plot to his advantage, even though he hadn't heard any rumors, hoping to fish for some benefits.
Hiyo frowned. Although Kei wanted to make him believe in ignorance, he played ignorance to his advantage, knowing that what he said was true. Hiyo Kure knew things Kei shouldn't know, and these rumors weren't illogical. After all, in the Kure clan, Kei only reached the 14th rank, and his brothers were more ferocious. He had seen the apparent patriarch, Rain Kure, destroy rocks with his fists, and he was only 15, the same age as Kei.
-Do you think this is true?- asked Hiyo.
-As stupid as it sounds, they said it with such conviction that I almost believed it. It must be some fool using tricks or something,- said Kei, downplaying it.
-Have they tried to recruit you?- asked Hiyo.
-For now, just some weaklings. One guy who practiced sport karate was terrible, but they say six guys are much more powerful. I don't know them, but I'll destroy them,- said Kei, who constantly fought with Hiyo Kure.
Hiyo wanted to hit Kei. Damn, arrogant kid. They're disciples of a great master, and a kid with only military training can't compare. But he didn't blame him for not understanding such mysterious matters.
-Well, if you can join and get me information, that sounds good. It's good to know your rivals' strengths, so you'll act as a mole. You'll have connections because of your family, nothing more,- said Hiyo.
-Sure…but,-
-Don't worry, you won't have priority in missions for a while until we find out how serious this organization is,- said Hiyo.
Kei, in an almost rehearsed performance.
-You're hiding something from me, and I want to know. It's my life on the line,- Kei bluffed. Ragnarok was harmless, even Yomi was harmless. The fear resurfaced before Yami, an organization led by a madman. But he would have a year to dedicate himself to training; the patrols and taxes on local businesses were a real headache.
Hiyo smiled sardonically, his eyes dark like a demon's, with a terrible appearance.
-You're the smartest of all your brothers. Yes, this organization might have someone with a martial skill that exceeds your expectations but don't worry, you're young and weak. It's unlikely anything will happen. They'll see you as an insect. As long as you don't attack, everything will be fine,- said Hiyo, dismissing him.
-Well, you'll owe me many favors. How about a loan?- said Kei.
-Another one of your silly ideas about training in a controlled environment,- said Hiyo.
-Something like that. I want to train my fists to be harder than steel. I heard there's a special practice of hitting a tree with a rope wrapped around it. I thought it would be good to practice it on a steel tree. You can help me with that construction company you have on your side,- said Kei.
Hiyo raised his eyebrows. -It'll cost you.-
-Well, it's a fair trade. You get a stronger subordinate with just two phone calls, and I have to infiltrate an organization, spy, pass information, and save my life,- said Kei.
-You knew the rumor might have been true,- said Hiyo. Who would've told him? The one training him is just a special forces soldier, Kovac Nakamura, 33 years old, an expert in boxing, nothing new.
-I just made a bet, and you confirmed it. So, is it possible?- asked Kei.
-I'll do it, kid. Just hope I don't regret it,- said Hiyo with a mocking smile, liking the foolish boy.
-Thanks, boss. Just, before anything, I'll give you the location. I'm looking for special training zones, and I haven't found one that satisfies me yet,- said Kei.
-Just tell me the place, and I'll do you the favor. I expect a precise report,- said Hiyo, dismissing him with a wave.
-Boss.-
Kei left the office happily, having manipulated Hiyo into giving him a mission that wouldn't hinder his training and securing a steel tree to harden his fists, a training done by great fighters to turn their fists into steel.
-Bokuda was standing behind the door,- Hiyo's bodyguard and a good friend.
Kei walked to the Kazama family table, where his brother sat with his other two brothers. Hiroshi Kazama, one of the most hypocritical people Kei knew. Hiyo had told him how Hiroshi had sold his brother for debts. Hiroshi had problems with high-stakes gambling and had committed a sin, restrained as Kei's official guardian in school. He had sold Kei for a measly yen to Hiyo Kuro.
-Brothers, - said Kei.
They only nodded.
-Runna will start kindergarten. I suppose you have custody,- said Kei, pointing at Hiroshi.
-That's right,- said Hiroshi.
-I need her. Or you can go to school; our sister needs a better school than the Red Garden,- said Kei.
Hiroshi remained as neutral as ever. -Kindergartens aren't public, Kei. You need money to enroll her. Who will pay the money?- asked Hiroshi.
-I'll pay. I have savings. I've already made arrangements. It's a kindergarten that offers extra training. Mom can pick up Runna every day and take her. It's a good school, much better than the Red Garden. Our sister isn't like us; she's softer like our mother,- said Kei.
-Very well, I'll send the papers. I hope you know what you're doing,- said Hiroshi.
-I do,- said Kei, leaving the underground building.
He arrived home, where his mother and little sister Runna, three and a half years old, lived. A little girl who came into the world and brightened the lives of her mother and Kei himself.
Entering the house, he saw little Runna playing with crayons and blank sheets at the living room table, while his mother cooked a delicious dinner.
-Kei took some vitamins from his dinosaur-shaped backpack and shook them vigorously. Runna's big eyes lit up with a beautiful smile; she looked very much like her mother. -Ni-chan!- said Runna, running to hug Kei, who welcomed her with open arms.
-Your big brother brought special vitamins for you to eat before bed, and of course, a little princess backpack from Destinyland. Little Runna,- said Kei.
-My brother is the best in the world,- said Runna, shouting with her arms raised.
-Of course, your brother is the best in the world. On Saturday, I'll take you to start at your new school,- said Kei.
-School?-
-That's right. A school for you. You need someone to teach you to be a better student,- said Kei, stroking Runna's small head, who smiled at everything her brother said.
-But brother, I already have a school,- said Runna.
-I enrolled you in a better one. Tomorrow, I'll buy your uniform,- said Kei.
-But Ni-chan, I want a unicorn suit,- said Runna.
-For your birthday, I'll get you a unicorn suit,- said Kei, stroking her head. Runna's red hair was beautiful.
-Yay! Brother promised to buy me a unicorn suit, Mama! The big brother promised to buy me a unicorn suit,- said Runna at her mother's skirts, who only smiled warmly at seeing her youngest daughter enjoying the attention.
-Kei, it's good you came home early,- said Chia Kazama.
Kei just nodded and walked to the dining room to set the plates, including adjusting little Runna's chair. His mother was weak, but even in her weakness, she would never sell Runna. Although the meal was still spartan, Runna ate with such happiness that it was enough for the small Kazama family. She told many stories and shared some important details about everything and nothing.
-It's time for you to sleep, young lady,- said Chia Kazama, carrying Runna.
-I want to stay with my brother,- said Runna.
-Come on, little one. I'll take you to bed,- said Kei.
-Hahaha,- Chia Kazama's soft laughter was something rare, as she was a very sweet woman. Runna dozed off in Kei's arms, and once under the covers, she slept so deeply that her earlier fuss about not sleeping filled Kei with tenderness.
-Good night, Runna.-
...