Ichiro put on the gloves and looked questioningly at his father.
"Come here and punch this bag with your fist," Kenshin commanded.
Ichiro approached the bag and punched it, barely making it sway.
"Not good enough," Kenshin said and punched the bag himself, making it swing noticeably. Then he approached his son and showed him the boxing stance.
"Here, stand like this and punch not just with your arm but with your whole body. First learn to put the power of your torso into the punch. Come on, try it," Kenshin taught his son and stood behind him, guiding his movements.
Ichiro tried several times, and something started working out for him, so Kenshin ordered him to practise this punch for half an hour while he went to check on Aya.
As soon as Kenshin entered the bedroom, Aya asked: "Where's Ichiro?"
"Training. And from now on he's forbidden to enter our bedroom without invitation," Kenshin answered calmly.
"What? But why? He's our son… He could just knock in case we're undressed…" Aya said in an offended tone. Like any mother, she loved her son immensely and felt very sorry for him.
"This is not up for discussion. I take over the upbringing of grown children, and first of all they need discipline," Kenshin stated firmly, not wanting to change his mind.
He approached his pregnant wife, sat on the edge of the bed, and stroked her large belly.
"How's our second baby doing, not asking to come out yet?" Kenshin asked with a smile, leaning toward the girl and kissing her sweet cherry lips.
"Mmm, not yet, but I feel tomorrow he will," Aya purred. Having given birth once, she felt changes in her body and could quite accurately predict when the birth would happen.
After some time Kenshin "heard" Ichiro's voice in his mind and, after kissing his wife, left the bedroom and headed to the gym.
"Finished?" Kenshin asked and, receiving an affirmative answer, said: "Punch the bag."
Ichiro punched the bag, and it swung about the same as from Kenshin's punch, although the execution technique was lame on both legs. Kenshin was a little surprised but didn't show it. He pulled out a helmet and slightly different boxing gloves and threw them to Ichiro.
"Put them on and go to the tatami." Ichiro obeyed, and a few minutes later father and son stood opposite each other in gloves and helmets.
"Before finishing training you need to consolidate all knowledge with practical experience, so every evening we'll have a sparring session. We don't hit at full strength. Strikes below the belt are forbidden, understood?"
"Yes, father."
"Good, let's begin!"
The next few minutes were a one-sided game; Kenshin, from the height of his experience and long training, drove his son around the entire tatami, landing unexpected punches and dodging Ichiro's very predictable and straightforward strikes. Kenshin noted with surprise that Ichiro's strength, speed, and endurance were slightly higher than his own, and the young father could only win due to vast experience; by the end of their sparring Kenshin was a little more tired than Ichiro and still took one punch to the face. Stepping back, he stopped the sparring and, breathing heavily, said:
"Not bad. Very not bad. Your physical data is at the level of professional athletes. All that's left is to improve skills, and I'll no longer be your opponent."
"Don't say that, father. I'll never be able to beat you," Ichiro objected.
"You already beat me. In endurance you completely surpassed me, and right now I'm nothing more than a punching bag while you can still fight."
"But my endurance wouldn't help me withstand even ten of your punches if you were aiming to win!"
Kenshin smiled but said nothing. He liked this guy. Ichiro grew up a respectful and obedient son, and Kenshin wanted to stroke a small beard that wasn't there, fold his hands behind his back, and walk lightly on clouds like a real wise master. Instead he laughed and said:
"Come on, help me carry the fish and rabbits. We'll swim and wash off the fatigue."
Ichiro smiled and nodded, following his father.
****
From the next morning Ichiro began performing a six-hour training plan that included warm-up, running, push-ups, squats, barbell lifts, and punching bag work. Kenshin told his son to spread all the training throughout the day, but Ichiro surprisingly tired more slowly and recovered faster. Kenshin noticed a small connection between his "Talented Offspring" ability at level two which enhanced children's talent by 10% and Ichiro's approximately ten percent superiority in speed, strength, and endurance. Kenshin decided not to jump to conclusions and observe his next children.
By evening Kenshin sat on the edge of the bed holding his wife's hand, expecting contractions to begin any minute, heralding the birth of the second child. He didn't have to wait long; already at seven in the evening Aya gave birth to the second baby, whom they named Keiji.
"Oh god, dear, look what beautiful children you give me!" Kenshin said with a laugh, carefully handing over the baby.
"You're right! He's so cute! My little Keiji…" Aya muttered and pressed him to her breast.
The baby only blinked in surprise and didn't cry at all, looking interestedly at mommy. Aya couldn't resist and kissed him on the forehead, and Keiji suddenly started crying.
"Shh, Keiji, don't cry, listen to mommy," Kenshin whispered and lightly stroked his second son.
"Ichiro, come here!" Kenshin commanded mentally.
Ichiro carefully slipped into the bedroom feeling uncomfortable but immediately froze seeing the small bald bundle in his mother's arms.
"Meet him, Ichiro, this is your younger brother—Keiji," Kenshin declared and took the baby in his arms. "Here, hold him."
Ichiro got scared and refused to take such a fragile creature in his arms, afraid to harm his younger brother, but after a few seconds carefully took the bundle.
Keiji silently stared with his blue eyes at the same blue eyes of his older brother and grunted something incoherent, then his lips spread in something resembling a smile.
"Keiji…" Ichiro muttered and smiled widely, happy to meet such a small and defenceless brother.
"Don't get too excited. Soon he'll grow up and surpass you if you don't train harder!" Kenshin said with a laugh, taking the bundle with the baby and handing it to Aya.
"I'll be glad if little Keiji becomes very strong, then he'll be able to protect you and mommy!" Ichiro declared.
"Ha-ha-ha, that's the right attitude, but don't you dare shift responsibility to others! Train hard and be an example for all your future brothers!" Kenshin declared and patted his eldest son on the shoulder.
"Yes, father!" Ichiro declared resolutely.
"And now let's go, let mommy rest a bit," Kenshin said, and father and son left the door, giving the girl who had just given birth a little sleep.