Martial Glory, Chapter 51 (Patreon)

Kensei Ma, Ryouzonpaku's resident master of Chinese Martial arts was using the dojo he shared with Akisame to host his friends. And while I was looking for lessons on how to use my special bioweapons with martial skill.

I was very curious to see who Kensei's friends were.

Knocking on the door leading to Kensei's dojo, I could feel a flare of Kensei's particular ki as he called out with a light chuckle clear in his voice. "Come in brat."

I pushed open the door, and as I walked in. I felt a heavy pressure of Grandmaster tier martial artists giving me a searching look as they assessed me.

'Ah... Fuck, I do recognize these people.' I mused helplessly.

"Hmm? So this is the brat born of two distinguished bloodlines... He is unpolished, but his blood is furious and he has already been put through the ringer hasn't he?" An old amused voice rang out as the man Kensei was handing tea to.

Spoke out with the wisdom of the true 'ancients'

I bowed my head slightly in respect as I said calmly. "I have seen monsters, killed monsters, and have spilled blood aplenty when I was pressed, Lord Kaioh. I still have much to do before I can glimpse the peak."

The man I responded to, was Kaku Kaioh. The leader and icon for ALL Chinese Martial Arts. A man with a 'mortal' body who refined himself to perfection in skill and was almost a hundred and fifty years old at this point.

Hell with this weird merged setting... I had zero doubts that he was even more insane and bullshit than he was in the Baki series. 

Then I looked to the other occupant who I also recongized as a walking 'demon' 

"Senior." I said with a fist salute towards Kure Erioh, the head of the Kure clan. But my salute was... Far less respectful towards him compared to my bow towards the icon of martial arts.

I was still very much holding a grudge for the Kure clan for giving Kafka an out when she fucking infected me with the Ouroborus Virus.

And Kure Erioh could tell as he chuckled as he took a bite off of his pipe before he said in gruff amusement. "Let it go kid, you ain't strong enough to get revenge yet. But if you want blood with me and mine, just tell me so and I will make sure the funeral arrangements are taken care of haha!"

A heavy pressure filled the room before Kensei said coldly. "You should mind your words Kure... His grandfather is naught but a couple of rooms over and would be happy to fold you in half before selling you to the Wu clan."

Kure Eiroh tsked out loud before he gave me a dirty look and rolled his eyes. "Bah! Let the boy make his own choices in the Jianghu. Letting the old one clean up the mistakes of the young is the path of the weak!"

Then Kaku Kaioh snickered with an evil cackle as he said. "Oh yes? I heard about that as well, haha! A total disgrace that was, Kafka, a Master martial artist interceding in a Kengan Match, to help her disciple poison her opponent, who was more than a decade younger and just entering the martial world!"

Kure just shrugged, clearly uncaring about Kafka's actions. Which was totally on brand with the head of a massive clan of assassins and hired killers.

Clearing my throat, I spoke out. "I am sorry to intrude in your get-together, Master Kensei. But I was hoping to schedule some time for some training with you in more esoteric martial arts that Master Shigure can't teach me." 

All the Masters of Ryouzonpaku had their specialties, but Kensei's whole speciality was ALL of Chinese Martial Arts, which included weapons and hand-to-hand combat as well.

 So he was the master with the most widespread teaching ability... As well as patience in teaching in general, by far.

Kensei, who was stroking his mustache after hearing my request, paused as he knew all to well what I was asking. Training for my bioweapon abilities, so I could use them with actual martial skill.

Both Kaku Kaioh and Kure Erioh knew that cutting in right now wasn't their place so they just took a drink as Kensei slowly nodded thoughtfully.

"Yes, yes we should indeed begin to work on that part of your skillset. Buuut, you what is better than just training? A test of mettle in fact!"

Kure Erioh gave Kensei a dark look before he paused and looked back at me. "Him? Well he is of the right age. But he is still unproven in Kengan matches! Let alone in bloodier duels."

I myself gave Kensei a look before he coughed and said plainly. "Jake, the Dead or Alive Tournament Organizer's are making their own moves. They forced a bet with the Kengan Association as well with... Huge stakes."

"A 'test of the next generation' is what they call it. Fighters ONLY below the age of twenty-one and part of the Kengan Association's Company Roster may join. Where they will be put up against the likewise most talented fighters belonging to the Dead or Alive Tournament roster." Kaku Kaioh finished explaining in amusement.

It made sense why Kure Eiroh was involved, as he was the First Fang of Kitahara. The head of the Kengan Association. But why was Kaku Kaioh involved? 

"My peers around the age of twenty? And not old monsters like you guy's? How the hell could I miss that?" I chuckled before I wondered if Tokita Ohma would also show up in this kind of a fight. 

I wasn't too sure of his age, actually.

Kensei then cut in coldly. "Jake, you are strong. And with very special talents indeed... But there is an actual monster on the side of the DOA. Ryu Hayabusa A Master who is JUST twenty-one as well. And this tournament will have very lax rules which will allow him his weapons as well."

Yeah... All fucking confidence and arrogance I had right then and there utterly went flat.