Kei arrived at the school gate with evident bruises all over his body from the underground fights. He had battled against a group of five boxing practitioners simultaneously, but confidence radiated from his entire being. Kyrko High School was as usual, silently acknowledging and avoiding interaction with what seemed to be the most dangerous gang leader in the area, ruling over Kyrko Secondary without apparent challengers.
With his red hair and jacket, and his blatant disrespect towards Kyrko Prep's educators, Kei had gained notoriety among the teachers, serving as a warning to everyone. As he entered, those who knew their fate handed over their lunches or the 200 yen entry fee Kei had imposed for all gang members attending the school who had ever dared to challenge him.
He continued on his way towards the karate club, which was led by none other than Tsukuba. There, Shirahama Kenichi was seen performing menial tasks. Kei entered the club as if he were royalty, causing Tsukuba to grind his teeth with pristine anger.
-Daimonji, give him the money and wrap it up quickly, - said Tsukuba, who could only stomp the ground in rage as he headed towards the karate club's changing rooms.
-Kenichi, didn't expect to see you here, - said Kei.
Kenichi nervously breathed and tried to avoid Kei's gaze. Kei had tormented him since middle school and now continued to do so in high school. Kenichi's luck wasn't among the best. -Kei, didn't expect you to visit the club, - said Kenichi. He was deeply terrified by how the karate club members knelt before Kei, was he... a monster? Holy mother!
-Do you have a younger sister? - Kei asked, knowing the answer, but after much debate, Kenichi was the best option, he was noble-hearted and would accept a request without much thought.
-Huh? - said Kenichi.
-We'll see each other at the end of school. I'll be waiting. Keep practicing karate as usual, even though you've only been at it for two weeks, - said Kei Kazama, aware of Kenichi's temperament. He leaned in to whisper, - I know where you live. Nijima told me recently. Just a friendly heads-up. -
The face Kenichi made was so amusing that Kei couldn't help but laugh openly at him, leaving Kenichi swallowing hard as if a white soul had left his body.
Daimonji handed over 15,000 yen, his face red with anger, for the fee Kei had imposed after being challenged three times by the karate club. Many had tried to leave the club, but Tsukuba prevented it, and now the club suppressed the yoke of two people who weren't very helpful and permissive at Shido School.
Kei continued on his way, bribing various clubs and accumulating a total of 45,000 yen, enough to pay for his little sister's monthly expenses and the items the school requested, from paints and brushes to clay and painting aprons.
The second club he bribed was the rugby club, the third was the judo club, and the fourth was the theater club. The last one was bribed simply because Tanimoto was there, who knew he was wealthy and normally handed over 5,000 yen without a fuss to maintain the facade of a good boy among those around him.
-Thanks for everything, Tanimoto... damn, - said Kei, offending Tanimoto's pride. Smirking wickedly, he hoped Tanimoto would attack. He needed to test his skills against a true martial artist, or at least a disciple of one, other than Hiyo Kuro, who surpassed his fighting level.
Tanimoto could only clench his fists in anger. But he handed the money to Kei, who just shrugged. Kei's verbal stance was a challenge, daring Tanimoto to provoke a fight.
-Thank you all for your cooperation with the protection fee. That's all for today. Be good to your families and don't harass the weak, - said Kei, receiving the money with satisfaction.
He walked to the classroom, and as soon as he entered, everyone fell silent and began whispering about Kei. He didn't care and went through the school day, though his mind couldn't help but dwell on Shiba's boxing and the skill displayed by the eyepatch-wearing man with a mustache, how his swift jabs were bullets that struck through the air like deafening whips. Because of this, Kei focused on training his basic punches, each strike was practiced a thousand times alongside the tiger dance, but one basic punch wasn't enough.
As he imagined yesterday's fight in his mind against a 30-year-old karateka who had fought for ten years in an underground fighting circuit, Kei realized he was far superior in strikes. He pondered the fight as a shadow of battle in his head, high kicks and strong punches being his first problem.
Shiba's boxing was necessary to excel, no... to survive. In the coming weeks, he would train and train, pouring everything he had into it.
-Nijima, - Kei said as the bell rang for the end of classes.
-Yeah? - said the alien, antennae raised.
-How would you make money? - Kei asked.
-Money? -
-Yeah, money, - said Kei.
Nijima rubbed his lips and outlined a plan of a million possibilities. -Well, I'd buy merchandise in the tech district and sell it at conventions or fairs, invest a bit in stocks, thoroughly research business procedures and policy, and finally create and sell a website, - said Nijima.
-You're hired. You have one month to make 100,000 yen. – Kei said.
-What? – Nijima exclaimed. But seeing Kei's determined expression, he calmed down. – Two months, I can bring in that money in two months. – he said, understanding Kei's demeanor.
Nijima felt sweat trickle down his back; Kei's intense gaze was unlike any he had faced before.
-You have two months. Here's a cushion of 20,000 yen to get started with your investments. Next week, I'll give you another 20,000. I hope your business idea pays off. With 100,000 yen, that should be enough. You're smart enough to know this is just an investment. If you create a company, having me as your fighter would be a significant achievement for you. I can assure you of that. If you want to conquer the world, start with the business sector, and having your fighter is second to none. – Kei said, patting Nijima on the back, who now looked at Kei with a mix of awe and curiosity.
-Y-yes. – Nijima said, reconsidering Kei's words. Above all, it's the sophisticated intelligence of the Alien to create respective earnings from scratch.
Kei spotted Kenichi outside the school, just as he had said he would. – Kenichi. – Kei said.
-What? – Kenichi exclaimed loudly, surprised by Kei's presence.
-Let's go. We need to head to your house. – Kei said, waiting for Kenichi to lead the way.
-Wait, I can't take you home. My family shouldn't get involved with someone like you. - Kenichi said firmly.
-We'll talk later... Kenichi. – Kei commented.
Kenichi could only nod in panic at the thought of having Kei Kazama in his house; he was sure Kei would try to confront his father or worse, steal from their home and blame him. As they walked, they encountered a man in a Coldplay suit, wearing a black jacket, black pants, and a fitted black shirt.
-You're Kei Kazama. – Hermit said, a glint of anger in his voice.
-I am, and you should know I'm not in the mood for nonsense. – Kei said.
-I'm not either. You should know I'll hit you with everything I've got until you're paralyzed. However, when you meet the leader, your fate will be decided. He wants you to join the organization. – Hermit said.
Impressed by Ryuto's invitation, Kei glanced at Kenichi beside him, who seemed unsettled for some reason.
-I see, Kenichi. I think I have things to attend to, like following a suspicious cloaked figure, before anything else. – Kei whispered to him. - Tell your mother to donate clothes for a four-year-old girl. Your sister must have some leftovers. I want nice clothes, yellow and blue, with designs of dogs and cats, lunch boxes, and toys are also welcome. – Kei said, tapping Kenichi's back.
-Girl's clothes? But I don't think we have any at home. – Kenichi said.
-Please ask your mother. Everyone keeps spare clothes. I'll see you tomorrow; I hope you don't ruin my day. – Kei said, walking past Hermit with a hint of disdain.
They walked through alleys; Hermit's silence was reassuring, but at some point, the silence began to bother him. There stood a giant mansion, ostentatious in appearance, exuding opulence. It still looked quite luxurious and interesting.
-Follow me, it's this way. – Hermit said.
The silver door was there, adorned with details, opened as if pushed by Hermit. They entered the mansion; the house was abandoned and hadn't been visited in a long time. Inside, six more people were gathered, all seated in a row, while a man with glasses and purple hair stood before them.
Kei could see the six Seven Fists in a row.
-You know how to make clichés look spectacular. – Kei said.
-Thank you, Hermit, for bringing the new candidate for Ragnarök's Fists. – Ryuto said, seated in the chair.
-Ohhh, a guest, how unexpected. - Kei responded in a murmur upon hearing Ragnarök's leader's words.
-Now, our guest, you have to pass a test to join Ragnarök's Fists. We're a group that seeks to push martial arts to the limit. Our main goal is improvement and dedication to cultivating skills. – Ryuto said.
-I see. What's the importance of joining your martial arts gang? – Kei asked.
-There are many important aspects, such as cultivating ourselves as martial artists through unity, as well as mastering gangs, which represent our identity as individuals and as a group. – Ryuto said.
A pretty soft pitch for a gang. – Kei remarked.
Ryuto started to frown. - You haven't been tested yet; you must pass a trial to join our group. The requirement is a power you possess as a fighter. Considering your confidence and the way you've dominated Kyrko High School from the arts, sports, and martial arts groups under your command. – Ryuto said.
-Who volunteers to fight the new candidate? – Ryuto said.
-I think the most suitable for fighting his style is Siegfried. – Freya said.
-Shallalaa, it's a great honor to be nominated. – Siegfried said.
-I object; we had a member of the former Valkyries who wanted to join as one of Ragnarök's Fists. – Loki teased Freya, referring to Kisara.
-Kizara isn't here, and it was decided that she would fight with the available Fists. - Freya said.
Loki smiled. – I could have invited Kisara; she's nearby at number 20, waiting for my call to try out, only if Odin wants this fight to happen, of course. – Loki said, his sinister smile only infuriating Freya more. Odin calmly watched the scene unfold.
-Very well, let two candidates fight for the Fists. – Odin said.
-Ahahaha, it will be glorious. – Loki laughed, sending a message on his phone. As soon as Loki sent a message to number 20 to bring Kisara, she arrived, wearing blue jeans cut at one leg, exposing her thick thighs and petite body. However, these kicks could send people flying.
-Kisara. – Freya said, holding deep thoughts for the newly named Valkyrie, as she was part of her team and not just a friend, she was someone she saw strength and potential in.
-Freya, now I am my person. I am a woman who will fight for a place. – Kisara said determinedly.
-Then I have her as my opponent. – Kei said aloud, as Kizara focused her attention on the broad-shouldered young man with red hair.
-Yes, whatever. Prepare yourself because I won't have mercy, even if you have a pretty face. This fight is to the death. – Kizara said.
Kei could only laugh inwardly; Hiyo Kure sure fought to the death; he had seen the bastard tear gang members apart with his hands. These kids played at being gangsters, but they didn't understand the meaning of death.
-Odin... right... – Kei said, turning his gaze to Odin, who nodded in agreement. – Is the fight to the death? – Kei asked.
There was silence, but Odin could only nod again. – Let the battle begin to decide the eighth Fist of Ragnarök. The contenders are Kizara Nanjo, known as Valkyrie, and Kei Kazama, known as Fenrir. Let the battle commence. – Odin said powerfully, already dictating Kei's victory.
In the mansion, Kei kept his guard up, protecting his ribs and the core of his body. Kizara took a classic taekwondo guard stance and delivered a strong roundhouse kick to Kei's side, which he absorbed with his arms. The blow echoed, but Kei held his ground.
Kizara stepped back, trusting in her strike.
-He didn't react much to my kick; which means he's not as weak as I expected... he endured my kick; he must have been slow, waiting to react. I just have to keep attacking quickly, and he'll fall sooner rather than later. – Kizara thought.
Kei stood firm as a rock, having perfected the Tiger Strengthening Kata over the past month, which toughened his muscles to withstand opponents' blows. He could now enter this state in three seconds whenever he remained still.
-Let's train a bit. – Kei thought.
Releasing the hardening kata, he allowed Kizara to strike. With each blow he took, he toughened his muscles with his strengthening kata at the last moment.
-Tsk, something's missing. – Kei said.
The members of the Fists watched the one-sided battle unfold.
-Alright, let's end this. – Kizara said, confidently launching a kick toward Kei's body.
The kick was aimed at Kei's chest. He performed the first dance posture and dodged the kick with a smooth step, entering Kizara's personal space from the left side. He grabbed the left side of Kizara's abdomen with his right hand and squeezed tightly. Kizara groaned in pain, but her skill allowed her to deliver a second, weaker kick. However, her right leg was pinned down by Kei's stance, causing her to lose balance.
-Let go of me. – Kizara said, feeling the pressure on her ribs; the punishment was considerable.
She struck with her hands and elbows, but these had much less force than her legs, and Kei barely felt them.
-Odin, I think the fight is over. – Kei said, applying pressure to Kizara's lower ribs, causing her to cry out in pain and stop hitting with her elbows.
-Kizara hasn't surrendered yet. – Odin said.
-Very well. –
Kei raised his left palm and delivered a powerful blow to Kizara's chest, sending her flying across the hall until she landed at Odin's feet. She tried to get up, but the pain from the blow prevented her from moving.
– I think that's it. – Kei's voice echoed in the hall.
-It's not over; Kizara is still conscious. – Odin said.
Freya was about to say something but was stopped by Odin standing beside her. The hall fell silent, and Kei walked with his hands in his pockets towards Kizara, who was struggling to get up, tears streaming down her face from the humiliation she had just endured. Kei's blow had broken a rib, using the lower part of his palm and pressure that made the bones yield like butter; the blow was brutal, and the punishment was cruel for any fighter.
-Kei approached Kizara and applied a small chokehold. – Don't move, the pain will stop soon, and you'll be fine. – Kei said.
Feeling a bit sorry for the young Kizara, facing Odin's insistence on continuing a fight that was already over, Kizara lost consciousness, and Kei gently laid her on the floor.
-Well, that was disappointing. Does anyone else want to try my fists? – Kei said.
-I think we overestimated Kizara. – Loki said.
-No, that's not it. From now on, you'll be the eighth Fist of Ragnarök, Fenrir the Beast. – Odin said.
Kei, now Fenrir, lifted Kizara onto his shoulders and tossed her toward Freya at the stairs, just as someone threw him a pair of purple gloves with the symbol of eight, elegantly carved with bright yellow borders in Roman numerals, displaying the number eight. – VIII -
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