The awakening of the underground world was intense, with a magnificent battle promised between two great companies. Kei Kazama had stirred up waves that awakened the underground world, the place where the world converges, the place where the world watches. All eyes were on the red-haired boy, martial arts for the world of business, strength, power, money, and interests. But in the world, Kei lives in, a world that respects all forms of elevated power, defeat in battle is never an option. Inn the rhythm of a building still under construction, from the thirtieth floor of the new tower in Japan, an old, gray-haired man waited for his new fighter. This man was Houro Tomori, the leader of Iwami Heavy Industries.
A large man, with shark-like teeth, intense eyes, and a prominent, upturned nose resembling a reversed beak. His body, though gigantic, was weakened, with fat in certain places… a businessman through and through. He might be called a tough and despicable man, but the years had dulled his edge, an illness eroding his once fierce and relentless nature. For now, he had a fighter at his side, a 53-year-old karate expert with a record of 34 victories and only 1 defeat… his single loss was to a Muay Thai fighter.
They deal in weapons, raw materials, and heavy machinery, working with Yami since its inception, all due to the recruitment of Saiga Furinji, who offers them affordable construction prices. At the same time, Yami provides the necessary protection for their activities and fighters to compete in the Kengan matches. Why isn't a super-master sent? They despise fighting the weak and are only secret weapons, almost impossible to convince or hire unless nurtured over time.
"-Togoremembernd that the fighter we've contracted is still just a boy for now, but in a few years, he will become a fighter who will break all conventions. He's a man who will elevate our industry to new heights… you must always take care of your fighters.-" He said, gesturing toward his fighter, a man in traditional karate attire, with gray hair. Manami Ushitare was considered a high-ranking expert fighter, highly experienced in the Shokotan karate style.
Togo Tomari was 15 years old, the same age as Kei, studying in the United Kingdom and receiving the best education. Without much warning, she had developed a talent for business, cultivated by her father from a young age.
-I enjoy watching these battles, Father,- Togo responded politely. Her genius had yet to be revealed, but with curiosity, she wondered, Will these fighters give their all for the company or flee? Cruel, but the outcome would surprise her.
Her father only chuckled. There would be time to teach his daughter that fighters possess a pride that cannot be humiliated. If humiliated, they will leave, and not even all the money in the world could bring them back.
Togo Tomari wasn't cruel… she simply followed her father's teachings. On the contrary, she was well-mannered and had not yet faced the hardships of running a business. Houro Tomari was perhaps one of the pillars supporting young Togo. A little curious, she watched many of the industry's giants positioned like mere pawns in a circle.
…
Kei was ready to fight, his red hair loose, walking with an arrogant stride, exuding confidence with each step. He drew stares, yet remained in a meditative state. The upcoming fight would be tough and brutal.
A fighter like Kei, arrogant, young, and vicious, was up against a powerful man, weighing 140 kilos, nearly two meters tall, and a wrestling expert. He had recently begun working for Gandhi. At 26 years old, he had fought in 10 matches and suffered no losses, competing in 5 matches a year at most. By the time the Kengan Ashura events began, he would have fought in 63 matches, with only three losses. He was a machine.
Kei's participation was both a gamble by Houro and a trial by fire. By all indications, Kei's fight would be intense and to the death.
Kei had no one by his side today. He reached the 30th floor, more to observe than to fight. Wearing an old, dirty hoodie and a black military-style shirt, he felt the vibrant energy of the battle.
The shouts of the audience filled the air. Surrounded in a circle, the boy stepped into the center and placed his bag on the ground, stretching his muscles. His hands itched, but with light wraps, he hinted at being either a boxer, a Muay Thai practitioner, or someone who favored fists.
A giant with short hair entered the arena, followed by a bald man with scars on his head. Kei instantly recognized him. It was clear he was about to face a true beast of endurance. He would likely need to land a lethal first strike to deal serious damage, or things would quickly spiral out of control. However, his opponent's muscles were undoubtedly tough, and his palm technique wasn't yet perfect.
-So, you're the brat I'm supposed to fight.- commented Jun Sekibayashi, looking somewhat different but familiar from Kei's memory.
-I am, but call me Kei, or Kazama… I hope we have a glorious battle. Please dodge my first strike; it'll be deadly.- Kei responded his voice soft but laced with enough arrogance to make Jun raise an eyebrow. It was incredible. Jun, being a professional fighter, saw this as an insult, but Kei hadn't crossed the line.
-Heh… don't worry, kid. Your strikes will be like a breeze to me.- Jun replied.
No doubt, this man was powerful… Kei ran various simulations in his mind. One silly idea stood out: he had a businessman to impress.
Cheetah Hattori stepped into the center, joined by a young woman.
-Is this your affiliated fighter?-asked Cheetah.
-He is,-replied Houro, who had arrived alongside Kei.
-A bit bold of you, Houro, to put a child in a fight of this caliber,- commented Shikano Gen, CEO of Gandai.
-Well, this little one has much to offer,- Houro replied jovially, not sounding at all like a man sending a child into a battle. Jun, however, observed the boy's physique. He was small, no more than 170 cm, and just turned fifteen, making him the youngest fighter in the Kengan arenas. Yet, he didn't go unnoticed by others farther back, sensing the predator-like presence within Kazama.
-Kei Kazama, old man… they gave me a name, and you'd better remember it,- Kei remarked, staring at his employer. His intense gaze straightened Houro's posture, his sharp teeth flashing as he raised a hand to silence his daughter… the pride of a fighter.
-We'll start the match. The winner will own the building,- announced Shikano.
Both sides fought for the purchase of the building under construction, valued at 900 billion yen.
-So be it,- Houro responded, retreating to a distant corner. With his vast experience, Cheetah positioned himself to give the signal for the fight.
Kei, who had a plan, knew that Ohma had failed to make much of an impact on Jun with all his strikes, and Ohma was stronger than Kei was now. Even with the Iron Breaker, it was tough. But he had learned from the second Niko, who taught him combinations perfect for this kind of battle.
-On your marks.-
-Fight!- shouted Cheetah Hattori, who at this time was 42, in the prime of his life.
Kei took a step back, not settling into a boxing stance, his hands spread wide as he bounced lightly on his feet. His shoes were tossed aside, and his bandaged feet seemed to glide, while Jun, arms open, stood as an unmovable wall.
…
Moments before the fight began… Kei's image reached three members of the Kure Clan, who watched the boy with keen interest. Kure Erioh, along with Kure Horio and Kure Hum, the latter 15 years younger than Erioh, semi-retired and grandfather of Kure Holis, one of the next elite members of the Kure Clan.
-That's the boy who humiliated Hiyo,- remarked Kure Erioh, well aware of what had transpired.
-He's a charming punk… Now I see how he won against Hiyo. A soft shell, but Hiyo is no easy opponent, even though he's a low-ranked fighter in the clan,- Kure Hum added.
The most surprised of them was Kure Horio, who, despite having an impression of the boy, never thought the world would so closely connect him to someone who had left such an interesting mark.
-I know him. He was affiliated with a mercenary group on the Ivory Coast,- Kure Horio responded.
The Kure Clan members observed from afar, studying the one who defeated Hiyo, carrying the name and recommendation that Hiyo gave, despite his reluctance. He was sincere in his words about Kei's power, a strength of the highest order. Skeptical as they were, the best test would be to watch the fight against Jun Sekibayashi, a renowned professional fighter with a long history of fierce disputes… a trial by fire.
…
-Be careful, kid. I won't go easy, even on a twig like you,-Jun said with a grin.
Kei's Sei state remained unresponsive. His eyes were locked on his next move as he took a deep breath, focusing. In the instant Jun blinked, Kei vanished. The boy used the Koe style, "Blink," a technique that involves a fast dash, exploiting the moment his opponent blinks to move into Jun's blind spot, diagonally to his right. Surprised, Jun barely reacted as Kei aimed his strike at his shoulder, but the impact hit Jun square in the chest. Sekibayashi relied on his reflexes and years of experience to handle the blow.
The impact was devastating. The twist of Rakasha's palm, the form of the attack, and the element of surprise—everything came together. Sekibayashi's chest bore a deep purple, red, and bloody mark, the result of Kei's precise strike at his meridians. Yet, it wasn't enough to incapacitate him.
Jun retaliated instantly with a bear hug, attempting a Clothesline—a move where the length of the arm is used to knock down an opponent. Given the size difference, this would have been easy, but the move was too slow. Kei barely avoided it by stepping back in time.
Jun Sekibayashi was a bit surprised. A burning sensation spread through his right shoulder as he tried to move it. "I've lost 40% of the mobility in my right arm. Whatever technique that was, it's likely the next attack will target my ribs, neck, or…" the fighter thought.
But Jun had no time to finish his thought as Kei disappeared from his view again. This time, Kei didn't waste time jumping. His feet stayed on the ground, and knowing his opponent's weak point, he performed a signature move learned from Kenichi, the Mubyoshi, a strike that combines martial arts into a single, devastating blow. This move could be lethal for anyone, and Kei could execute it, though it required a precise stance rather than raw power.
"-Mubyoshi,-" Kei whispered, hands open as he focused his body into one point.
One heartbeat.
One second passed an eternity in a fight for Jun, who quickly spun around, alerted by the danger. But Kei's strike was already in motion, aiming to shatter concrete. The discreet strike was loaded with force and meticulously prepared.
Kobayashi, relying on his battle-hardened instincts, braced his muscles. The key was that he couldn't avoid the hit—he was a fighter. He took a stance, preparing his legs for a tackle once he absorbed the blow.
But.
The strike was powerful, shocking even the hidden masters in the shadows. The blow sent Jun flying two meters. The soles of his shoes left marks on the floor. The move was flawless, much more than the audience expected.
-Impossible,-Togo gasped, seeing how the small boy moved the beast.
-He's strong,- murmured Erioh, stroking his chin as he now understood how Hiyo had been defeated. Kei was a mortal child and dangerously skilled—a fitting partner for Holis.
The blow was indeed powerful, even Jun felt it. It landed right on his ribs, and though Jun managed to endure it, being an expert in taking hits, it pushed him back. A dark bruise spread across Jun's skin. Though he outwardly kept smiling, he couldn't hide the fact that this was a hard-earned lesson from a 15-year-old.
Two different weapons, two different powers—one is a forceful strike that impacts deeply, and the other targets meridians and attacks the surface. The fighters were already calculating. Jun, an expert-class mid-to-high-level fighter, was surprised, and rightfully so. The technique was dangerous, but revealing such cards would only make future opponents more prepared. For instance, some of Metsudo's guards were watching, along with fighters who never missed a battle. Know yourself and your enemies—that's the law in martial arts.
-You're strong, kid, but don't underestimate fighters,- Sekibayashi commented, recognizing Kei's use of blind spots and distractions to position himself.
'He's a monster. I hit him with my strongest palm strike using Kenichi's technique, one of the best I've got,' Kei thought, realizing he'd need to change his approach. His jiu-jitsu wasn't good enough, but his redirection kata was solid, though it wouldn't work at this level against such a powerful opponent.
'If I use the Blink technique again, he'll catch on, but…'
Using some foresight, Kei executed the Koe style once more, but this time added a second move, crossing into another blind spot. Yet Jun read the maneuver perfectly and delivered a powerful punch aimed straight at Kei.
Reading Jun's intent, Kei managed to soften the blow. 'If only I'd been faster or stronger, the punch would've worked, but Jun was focused on my hidden move,' he reflected.
Jun's fist landed squarely on Kei's body, which he crossed with his arms, utilizing the redirection technique. The impact was sent in waves to the ground, and Kei, once again surprising Jun, absorbed the blow and countered with a burst of energy in another strike. The beastly exchange of blows continued, but Kei used the flow to minimize the damage.
Kei threw three quick boxing punches, the first time he felt stifled by Sekibayashi's strength. Switching to a boxing stance, Jun adjusted his body to the right, and the punches felt like mosquito bites against his iron-like muscles.
Kei kept throwing successive punches, but they did little more than earn him another direct hit from Sekibayashi. More prepared this time, Kei used his adamantine kata, the one he was most proficient in, and took a fiery step forward, aiming another blow at Kei's left ribs. It was a feint, though, and jun's real target was the knee. He swung his iron-like ax down low and hit squarely.
Sekibayashi responded with a crushing elbow strike.
It only caused a slight slip, as Sekibayashi leaped and grabbed Kei's neck with his long arms, pulling him into a deadly chokehold that caused indescribable pain down Kei's spine. Kei felt as though his back would break, but he responded with a fiery kata strike combined with adamantine, hitting Jun's carotid artery, though it only struck his deltoid. Nonetheless, the chilling intent left a bloodstained trail, a cold promise of death.
Kei followed up with bold boxing combinations mixed with ghost jabs, but Jun was a machine of endurance. Unlike Kei, who evaded most of Jun's strikes, blocking or redirecting them, Jun was relentless, wearing Kei down with each passing second.
The fight seemed balanced, but Kei couldn't find a comfortable position. Desperation set in, trapped between life and death. He activated Ryoseikuken, a thin white aura that heightened his reaction speed. It improved his defense and mobility.
But nothing prepared Kei for the unexpected jump from his opponent, defying his size, hammering down with both feet like a weapon being driven into a wall.
A shout erupted.
"-Enzugiri!-"
This technique involved jumping at an opponent, staying horizontal in the air, and landing one foot on the opponent's torso, then raising the other to strike the back of the opponent's head in one fluid motion before falling backward to the ground. A variant of this technique is called leg-feed inquiry.
Kei braced himself, but the impact launched him toward the crowd, which parted like the sea, sending him crashing into a thin van, denting it completely. The blow was devastating. Only his iron bones and kata prevented any broken ribs.
But Sekibayashi wasn't done. After celebrating and roaring, he ran to grab Kei and followed up with a Drop (a move where the user drops onto the fallen opponent, striking them with a part of their body), intending to deliver an elbow strike.
He missed entirely, Kei barely escaping, a thin stream of blood escaping from his mouth, his arms bruised purple, and his Sei stance failing.
The madness began to escape his blood as Jun urged the crowd to clap louder. The public roared, drowning the environment in noise, and Togo Tomari was shocked from the beginning. Do they bet a building on a fight? Is father insane? But as she witnessed the violent battle unfold, she fell silent.
Kei's rage started to break free, and as a crazed smile spread across his face, it chilled the blood of some onlookers. The demon had begun to walk in the mortal world. The movement of the formless style became evident, a technique all the masters recognized.
-Yes… that's it,-exclaimed Erioh, impressed by the technique that belonged to the Fang. The same air of malice, the beast unchained, the bonds broken.
Kei approached, but this time he was far more brutal and visceral. Feeling his opponent's hold, he performed an iron grip, hardening his fingers and striking just below Jun's ribs, digging his fingers in. Iron fingers.
Even though his fingers bent and buried into Jun's flesh, it didn't stop Jun from executing a snake hold on Kei. Kei used his knees to prevent being crushed, delivering an uppercut to Jun's chin, followed by a rapid combination of short strikes. Surrendering to his instincts, Kei activated the Advance, hitting Jun square in the ribs—now broken—followed by a series of Muay Thai strikes, ending with a Kao Long right to the head, escaping the bear trap of Jun's grip.
But it wasn't all smooth. Jun grabbed Kei's leg, spinning him through the air like a ragdoll. Kei flew again, this time slamming into a large concrete wall, leaving an imprint. The gladiator battle unfolding in the ring was more than enough to make the crowd roar, their inner demons awakening, as some were astonished by the tenacity of the fight.
The crunching sound was unreal. The grimaces of some fighters watching the hit said it all.
Ignoring the pain, Kei quickly stepped forward and struck Jun's knee with another Iron Axe, while utilizing the Water Kata, pushing Jun's center of gravity to topple the giant. As Jun fell, Kei combined the Water Kata with Adamantine Kata—an Iron Breaker that landed squarely on Jun's head. Jun managed to extend a hand and slap Kei in return.
'I wish I had mastered the Iron Breaker: Chain, to make consecutive strikes. The other Niko taught it to me, but I haven't perfected it yet. It's a difficult technique,' Kei thought, his mind slipping further into madness as he became less rational, surrendering to instinct.
Fulgurating Flame—Kei muttered during his dance, the Advance now gone. He took a swift Flame Step around Jun, delivering a formless strike that Jun couldn't read, hitting his ribs, dodging the counterattack, and landing another powerful blow, followed by yet another.
"-You insolent brat,-" Jun growled as he repeatedly missed.
Both fighters exchanged blows, but the Water Kata, the foundation of the formless style, made Kei as slippery as a jellyfish. A punch from the professional fighter was all Kei needed to deliver a perfect straight punch.
Weeping Willow—a technique that alters the trajectory of the opponent's attack, redirecting their flow of power. The user can make the opponent's attacks miss and cause them to lose balance, creating an opening for a counterattack.
Kei laughed like a maniac as he delivered an Iron Axe to Jun's knee, followed by a rapid combination of elbows, finishing with a neck lock—the Pisces Bind—which cut off Jun's airflow. The massive man struggled to break free, but the hold was flawless. The Water Kata was at its peak, enhanced with a bit of sambo.
Kobayashi, an expert in such grappling techniques, rolled on the ground, pressing his weight against Kei, who didn't loosen his grip. When Jun attempted to raise his arm, Kei switched positions, trying a jellyfish hold. It was ineffective due to Jun's thick neck, but Kei managed to bring Jun down again—or so it seemed. Jun fluidly countered with a perfect sweep kick, narrowly dodged by Kei, but the next move, a Superkick, aimed diagonally at Kei's face, missed and struck his chest instead, sending Kei tumbling across the ground.
Kei was exhausted, while Jun seemed fresh, unaffected by the barrage of hits. Jun's endurance was first-rate, far beyond anything Kei could fathom.
The formless style had started to become predictable, so Kei shifted his focus to attacking Jun's joints, particularly his right shoulder, which had been damaged by the Rakasha Palm and Pisces Bind.
"-We fighters are used to pain. I see your body is reaching its limit. My next move will be spectacular,-" Sekibayashi said, grinning with his tongue hanging out.
The pressure and madness inside Kei reached their peak, but he was forbidden from using Elimination, even though his inner beast craved to disobey the commands of the other Niko. Kei began to weave between boxing and Iron Breaker, dangerously targeting Jun's body. Whenever Jun attempted a grab, Kei switched to Muay Thai, landing elbows to Jun's temples or axe kicks to his knees.
Both fighters were battered beyond reason, blood splattered across the ring, but Kei's mental strain was overwhelming. Every strike Kei threw did little to move the mountain in front of him, who kept celebrating and shouting.
Kei switched from his bestial Dou to his calm Sei, finding his focus.
'It's just an act… his ribs must be broken… it's all or nothing,' Kei thought, feeling his body faltering with every movement. Fortunately, the strikes he had landed were high-level. A strike from a child could indeed defeat a master. This was true to some extent—a nod to the idea that even the weakest can challenge the strongest with the right techniques.
Kei reduced his Seikuken to a tight, small circle of a few inches, an oval-shaped barrier. Walking slowly toward Jun with an eerie calm, this struck Jun mentally, seeing such arrogance in the boy. Had it been at the start of the fight, Jun would have laughed. But now, he knew what he had to do. A tackle… No! Something different, perhaps a Spear. Jun's charge was an alert to Kei, who prepared his body for a Mubyoshi.
But Kei knew a simple straight punch wouldn't be enough. He needed something more. He lowered his body, shifting his hips back, and prepared a hidden elbow strike, keeping his arms tucked close to his chest.
Contrary to expectation, Jun performed a jump, aiming to execute a Chief Ade, a drop but with his entire body—a tackle with open legs, meant to finish with a powerful Drop. But Kei, using Seikuken, flowed with the movement, launching a high elbow strike that hit Jun squarely in the chest. The inertia carried Jun forward, completing his Chief Ade, which landed squarely on Kei, crushing him. The impact shattered part of Kei's collarbone and left arm, breaking bones that had already been weakened by the technique. But for Sekibayashi, it was a fatal blow that stopped his heart for two seconds, shutting his body down completely.
Kei struggled to move the massive figure on top of him, but with some effort, he managed to shove Jun off, kneeling on the asphalt with Jun unconscious beside him. The crowd was stunned, seeing the 15-year-old boy covered in blood, sweat, and dirt. If they looked closely, they could see shards of glass embedded in his back from when he crashed into the van.
The cheetah counted to ten, finally declaring Kei the victor.
-The winner is Kei Kazama!- shouted the referee.
Kei drifted between consciousness and unconsciousness, unaware of when he was lifted off the ground by a special team. Meanwhile, Jun, after a minute, looked over at the boy, still kneeling, and clicked his tongue, embarrassed by his first defeat via knockout. It was Kei's ki that momentarily stopped his heart, resetting his body.
-Sorry, Chikage,- Jun muttered, ashamed of his loss.
-Don't worry. I didn't expect the kid to be that good. It was a brutal fight… that boy's got guts,- said the CEO of Gandai, reflecting on the years ahead. Iwami Industries wouldn't be an easy opponent with such a talented young fighter in their ranks.
-I agree. In that final moment, he threw an elbow strike that nearly cost him his life, right to my heart. He's a ruthless kid,- Jun added, rubbing his aching body. The medics checked Kei's vitals. The surprise surrounding Kei Kazama wasn't unwarranted—the boy was a true martial artist, and the years to come in the Kengan arena would be nothing short of intense.
...