It's impressive how Ikki Takeda ended up becoming part of James Shiba's dojo, which had transformed from a small wooden house into a full-blown coliseum. James, after hearing Kei's encouragement, reluctantly agreed to take on another disciple, hoping this time to train a pure boxer. However, he understood that some fighters followed their paths, like Shogo, who was enrolled in youth boxing tournaments but whose true talent lay in Muay Thai. His aggression was tempered with the Thai boxing spirit, blending elbows, knees, and kicks into his arsenal.
About a month ago, exactly two months ago, Kei completely devastated the Shinpaku Alliance. It was this event that reignited the fighting spirit within Ikki, and thanks to a tip from Nijima, he found the location of a master boxer—James Shiba—a man feared for his powerful abilities, rivaling master-level fighters like Kenichi.
Ikki was dazzled by James Shiba's boxing skills, his majestic punches that hit like wrecking balls. His sharp blows left deep impressions, and his clear, illuminated face as he sat on his knees was mesmerizing. Ikki fell in love with Shiba's power.
-I won't move until you take me as your disciple! - Ikki shouted, organizing his thoughts. -Shiba-sensei, please accept me as your disciple!-
In desperation, nervous from Nijima's warnings, Ikki had sought out masters with new training methods to break through the wall that loomed over him. He was the only one who failed to overcome his weaknesses, which is why he found himself here.
Shiba's gaze slid toward the window.
-Shiba-sensei, listen to me!- shouted Ikki.
With a sigh of disappointment, James Shiba finally opened the door. After three days of being hounded by the boy's relentless pleas, he decided to accept him, mostly due to pressure from his other disciples. For three days, Ikki had pursued Shiba but had never crossed paths with Kei, due to a combination of luck and coincidence.
-Yes, your courage reminds me of the youth of those times,- Shiba said, with his rebellious look, which Ikki admired.
-But you'll have to prove yourself worthy of my boxing style. I'll test your mental strength; it's essential that you act accordingly,-Shiba said.
-Of course,- Ikki responded, curiosity filling his voice.
-If you can't pass the test, you must promise never to chase after me again. Understood?- Shiba said, observing with complete calm.
-I'll stake my life on it!- Takeda exclaimed.
-Luck alone won't save you. Some fools have taught me that it's not just luck, but the unbreakable will to improve and a tireless faith in surpassing the ordinary that makes fighters exceptional. Paired with talent, these qualities are what it takes to transcend the normal spectrum. In battle, there's a type of fight that wears you down as you face death itself,- Shiba remarked, tossing him two black weights, each five kilos, along with a bronze spring-loaded training suit.
There were three types of suits: bronze with ten springs, steel with four springs, and steel with ten springs. Shogo and Kei used the latter, but James had been working on an even heavier suit with twelve compressed springs, provided by industrial machinery courtesy of Houro Tomari.
-I'll accept the challenge with my life on the line. If that's what it takes, I'll fight, even if I die,- Takeda said firmly, donning the suit and wrist weights. Shiba handed him a small parachute, which he attached to the springs.
-You have to run to the sea and bring back a Yamato Hoshi and a Konnatsu Nozaya in a bag. While jogging, you must stop at a police station and perform 1,000 squats and 200 shadow punches without stopping. And all while singing the Ant-Man Tanuki song,- Shiba finished with a malicious smile.
-Out of respect for the other disciples, you have three attempts. Each attempt has a 24-hour time limit to complete the task,-Shiba said, grinning darkly, knowing the difficulty of this particular challenge. It was a true test of willpower. If Ikki completed it on his first try, it would be a testament to his strength. Shogo took 12 hours to complete the task.
Ikki's blue hair flowed in the wind as he prepared for the challenge, determined to finish.
-He won't make it,- James muttered.
-He will, and when he does, you'll see that he's a man worthy of carrying the James style—the next master of both official and underground boxing. You'll be famous,- Kei replied.
***
Kenichi was elated—Ryuto had just woken from his coma. Though still fragile, his awakening was a moment of pure joy for Kenichi, who had been expecting the worst after their fight against Kei.
Kenichi Shirahama, a 16-year-old boy, had been through grueling training, which had doubled in intensity ever since his masters confronted the brutal rival who had been tormenting Kenichi since childhood.
-Amazingly, he woke up, Master Akisame,- Kenichi said, repeatedly punching a metal plate that pulled him backward as Akisame operated the controls. The infernal training pushed Kenichi to his limits, straining his spirit as the machine increased his speed.
The Ryozanpaku Dojo was a place where masters who had pushed martial arts to their absolute limits gathered. Their training was far from easy.
-Master, I can't keep going!-Kenichi cried out.
An elderly man with yellow hair and a muscular build walked in, sucking on a lollipop. -Hey, is this a new training machine, Akisame?-
-Yes, it trains his ability to run, punch power, and strengthens his spirit all at once. It's called 'Pushed Forward and Back to Hell'—aha! It's my latest masterpiece. It constantly pushes him back, and if he slows down even a little… an electric shock from the metal plate is powered by Kenichi's own generated energy. It's a great invention without cost!- Akisame laughed.
-Oh Akisame, your inventions have reached master level,- Hayato Furinji commented.
-By the way, how's Kenichi holding up?-" the shorter elder asked.
-He's doing great. His injuries have healed perfectly,- Akisame replied, -Though, that's not all.-
Kenichi, listening to the conversation, began to complain about his body, his ribs, and everything hurting. He cursed his recovery, but it was true—they had mended his shattered shoulder and ribs, which were once as fragile as butter.
-What's troubling you?-the elder asked.
-Yesterday, young Kazama visited my clinic. I treated him after what seemed to be a violent underground deathmatch. During the treatment, I realized two things: first, his bones are as hard as steel, especially in his fists, elbows, and knees. Second, he has improved. And third… we need to discuss this.- Akisame revealed.
-In that case, we should gather everyone. A meeting is necessary as soon as possible,-the elder said with a serious face, his eyes gleaming with a flickering golden light. Something important needed to be addressed, but they hadn't fully grasped the scope of it yet.
…
The six great martial arts masters sat on the tatami, and the elder's voice rang out with authority.
-Yami is on the move. Ogata Isshinsai, who calls himself Kensei, has declared war on us. It seems he has joined Yami. As you all know, he was once chosen to be the Number 1 disciple of Ryozanpaku, before Kenichi arrived. This is troubling,- the elder said, as the powerful auras of the masters stirred.
-Heh, this is shaping up to be more than a simple quarrel,- Sakaki commented.
-If they come at us full force… I foresee…- Ma Kensei murmured.
-Their goal is the title of the strongest, now that they know of the disciple of Ryozanpaku,- the elder whispered.
Miu listened from behind the door, along with the small punk, Runna, who clung to her, silently following Miu everywhere. She had declared she wanted to be like Miu when she grew up, something that melted the blonde's heart.
-Elder, what does this mean?- Akisame asked.
-The plan will continue as usual. Meeting adjourned,- the elder declared.
Miu fell to the ground in frustration at her grandfather's and the masters' cryptic behavior.
...
patreon.com/vin_modeus12 We are on chapter 90,