Chapter 92: Crossing Paths
Crash...
Kei was sent flying by a punch, landing on his back and sliding a long distance across the deck.
The nasal mucosa was damaged, and the inside of his mouth was cut by his teeth. Blood sprayed out, smearing his entire face.
"Gah—ah!"
Kei felt a sour ache spread across his face, covered in blood. Breathing was difficult, giving him a sensation of nearly drowning.
He grunted, trying to stand up, but suddenly found the entire deck "crashing" towards him.
Thud!
The deck hit Kei in the face, dazing him with pain. His senses plunged into indescribable chaos.
What is this...
Kei pushed against the ground with both hands, forcing his muscles to work. Grimacing, he stood up again, only to stumble and fall on his butt.
"?"
The sharp pain in his jaw, combined with the dizziness in his brain, made Kei realize what happened.
I see. My "chin" was hit...
Orochi Katsumi maintained his punching posture.
Looking closely, it wasn't hard to notice that his fist wasn't simply clenched; the details had changed.
The pinky, ring, and middle fingers were curled normally, tucked into the palm.
The thumb pressed against the middle segment of the index finger, maintaining this base, causing the index finger knuckle to protrude slightly, giving the fist an "edge."
"That—that is—!!"
Suedo Atsushi's eyes widened in shock. "That's not a normal straight punch (Seiken)! Karate doesn't have that kind of 'grip'!"
He recalled Kyara's words. "'Kenpo' grip? Did the Boss change his Seiken too?!"
"'Too'?"
Madarame Baku caught the word. "Sounds like your Shinshinkai has a very open culture, unlike those rigid schools in movies."
"Indeed. After all, the First Director was that kind of person."
Suedo crossed his arms, reminiscing helplessly. "Back then, he suddenly told us that the Seiken grip he'd used for decades was wrong. Scared the hell out of us!"
"But thinking about it, 'technique' only becomes formidable through continuous development. Stagnation just makes it a souvenir."
"By the way—"
Suedo looked at Katsumi. "Did he learn that new 'Kenpo' grip from the First Director too?"
Hearing Suedo's words, Katsumi suddenly laughed.
"Hey, Suedo, your observation isn't careful enough!"
"Orochi Doppo—my old man's Seiken grip was created based on the initial form of a human at birth. It carries no killing intent."
"But my killing intent is so heavy. How could I have learned it from him?"
"Ultimately, my thoughts are different from his—from Orochi Doppo's—"
Katsumi looked at his fist, his voice deep.
"After the tournament that night, my father—Orochi Doppo—believed that losing to Ancient Martial Arts with Modern Karate meant he was unqualified to continue teaching disciples. So he exiled himself and left the Shinshinkai."
"But I have a different perspective on Karate!"
Katsumi clenched his fist again.
"In the match against Retsu Kaioh, I lost. Knocked out in one hit."
"Therefore, I will plagiarize the four thousand years of Kenpo history, absorb its essence fully, and race against time to complete true Modern Karate!"
Hearing this, the bystanders looked at each other.
Suedo scratched his chin, his face slightly red. "Boss, aren't you being a bit too blunt..."
Katsumi didn't care. "Can you believe it? When the Kanto Plain was still under the sea, Kenpo masters were already killing each other."
"So, I made up my mind to invite Retsu Kaioh to be an instructor at the Shinshinkai."
Katsumi raised an eyebrow at Suedo. "After the underground tournament is over, don't forget to come to the Shinshinkai for lessons!"
Suedo was helpless. "I know, Boss. By the way, you're still in a match..."
"I know that, of course. That's why I'm 'waiting'."
Katsumi wiped the blood from his nose, looked around, and finally picked up a table leg from nearby, throwing it at the supine Kei.
Swish!
[Jamie • Arrow Kick]!
Kei suddenly bridged his hips and kicked high, sending the table leg flying to who knows where.
If Katsumi had approached rashly, it wouldn't have been the table leg getting kicked, but him!
"See that?"
Katsumi gestured to the crowd with a smile. "That guy isn't an opponent who goes down with one punch!"
While speaking, Kei had already stood up unsteadily.
His chin had been hit by Katsumi's index knuckle, rattling his brain inside his skull. He couldn't shake off the dizziness, and blood dripped from his face.
"..."
"This... what kind of match is this!"
Itou Kaiji was baffled, his shock compelling him to speak. "One runs away turning his back to the enemy, and the other doesn't dodge even knowing he'll be countered—is this even fighting!?"
"...Yeah, of course it is."
Kei stumbled, looking back at Kaiji.
"If you had the chance to be punched by Muhammad Ali or Iron Mike, I don't think anyone would refuse, right?"
"That's a punch worth tens of millions of dollars!"
"A rare opportunity. How could I be satisfied without trying..."
That said, the severe pain and dizziness were real. He couldn't take another hit like that.
Facing the dizziness, unlike Katsumi who stalled for time, Kei tried to adapt to it. His steps drifted with his center of gravity, assuming Jamie's Drunken Fist stance, fingers slightly spread.
"Nice. Awesome. I can adjust!"
"..."
Katsumi accepted the challenge gladly, raising his fists front and back, sliding forward.
When only a step away, Katsumi suddenly jumped, aiming a flying left kick at Kei's neck.
In the same instant, Kei crouched sideways, hands supporting on the ground as he swept his legs, his body sliding forward along the deck.
[Jamie • Breakdance] (Bakkai)!
Derived from breakdancing flares, combined with the Drunken Fist stance. It lacked the power of Katsumi's flying kick, but won in speed and hit count!
Swish!
Kei and Katsumi crossed paths, one low and one high, each dodging the other's signature move, only grazing each other's skin.
Getting up again, a distinct red mark appeared on Kei's thigh and Katsumi's forearm, almost drawing blood.
But neither stopped. They charged at each other again, movements somewhat similar—both using a "Karate Straight Punch" (Seiken)!
Katsumi's movement had a larger amplitude, engaging all his muscles; Kei emphasized footwork, pushing off with his back leg for a lunging side-body charge.
[Drive Rush • Hashogeki]!
SWOOSH!
They crossed paths once more. While dodging the opponent's killing blow, their own fists were also evaded.
Dangerous! Extremely dangerous!
The hyper-intense focus consumed immense mental energy. Beads of sweat appeared on both Kei and Katsumi's foreheads.
They reset their stances, adjusting their breathing while searching for openings.
"Hoo—!"
Katsumi exhaled a long breath. "Wrestling, military combat, Kenpo, and Karate—Shiraki-bro, you really are amazing!"
"I sincerely thank you for letting me see so many wonderful techniques."
"But because of that, I found your weakness—"
Katsumi lowered his left arm and rested his right arm at his waist, shouting in a deep voice.
"Shiraki-bro, you have too many masters. Your techniques haven't developed a 'core' yet, so I will definitely win!"