Waking up in the morning, Kenta doesn’t hear any birds. Getting up he walks out the door and down the stairs.

“Good morning sunshine. Hahaha.” Hachi says noticing Kenta.

“Good morning.” Kenta replies.

Sitting down, Kenta grabs a slice of bread from the centre of the table. With a cup of water, he finishes the meal.

“Thanks for the food.” Kenta says.

“It’s our pleasure.” Hachi responds.

“Hachi.” Kenta says, “I’ve been thinking about what you told me yesterday. I had a bit of trouble sleeping over it, but… I want to come today, to meet Kabuki.”

“What!” Hachi replies, “Kenta, think carefully about this. They don’t know you’re here. If you remain here, you won’t be involved in any trouble. I’m asking you out of concern. Please, consider staying here.”

“I’m sorry Hachi.” Kenta answers, “But I’ve already made up my mind.”

“Well… If you’re going to come along.” Hachi declares, “Take this, it’s 10 silver. It might not be much but It should suffice, if Kabuki’s men demand money from you, give them this.”

“Hachi, you’ve done so much for me.” Kenta says, “I can’t take your money. You keep it. Although I don’t have much, I’ll pay with what I have.”

*sigh*

“You’re a good kid.” Hachi says, “I’m glad we became friends, but if you do need the money, just say. I don’t want you getting killed.”

Kenta nodding in agreement, gets up and follows Hachi out the door. The rest of the family is staying behind, Hachi doesn’t want to involve if possible.

…

After a few minutes of walk, they reach the market place. Again, the streets are bustling, but this time there is a nervous air around them. They’re awaiting Kabuki’s arrival. Hachi walks over to Akira’s fish stall, but rather than talking he stands to the side, not saying a word. The two trade glances, but remain quiet. They’re scared. Kenta following Hachi, does the same.

…

An hour passes as everyone waits. There is little chat, everyone is anxiously awaiting Kabuki's arrival. Finally four tough looking men wearing armour walk into the market centre. One man, coming out of the tavern with a jug in hand, joins them. Kabuki’s here.

“Well now.” The man in the centre says loudly, “Everybody knows what time it is.”

This man is Kabuki. He has a larger than average stature with blue eyes. The rest of his face is hidden behind his helmet. Unlike the other men, Kabuki’s armour is more detailed, he also appears to be wearing iron gauntlets. Quite the intimidating figure.

Kabuki’s four henchmen, reach into their pocket a pull out a bag. All four of them go to a different side. As the henchmen reach the people, they put the money in the bag without any hesitation.

One of the men finally reaches Akira, with fear in his heart he puts 50 silver in the bag. Hachi comes next, he puts 40 silver. Next is Kenta’s turn.

Holding the bag in front of Kenta, and waiting. Kenta doesn’t put anything in, he takes his time.

“Oi, kid hurry up.” The bandit says, “I haven’t got all day. Pay up or pay the consequences.”

“Oh, sorry.” Kenta replies, “My bad.”

As he says this, he throws a bullet of a punch towards the man’s throat, crushing his windpipe and sending him flying back a few feet.

“Kenta! What are you doing?” Hachi worriedly asks.

“I’m doing what’s right.” Kenta replies, “Just stand back and leave this to me.”

Kabuki and the other bandits seeing this are furious. Kabuki orders them to kill Kenta.

The three remaining henchmen, draw out their swords and charge towards Kenta. The first henchman reaches Kenta and immediately slashes at him. Kenta ducks under the sword and stands behind the bandit. With a full force punch, Kenta slams his fist in to the back of the bandit’s iron armour. The power severely dents the iron and pushes the bandit away, but it was insufficient in doing worthwhile damage.

The two other henchmen have joined in the fight. All three are surrounding Kenta. He is in danger. On the side one of the henchmen, takes the initiative. Charging towards Kenta, he tries to hack Kenta’s shoulder. Kenta barely dodges it as the cloth on his shirt is torn.

Kenta growls like a dog, using minor intimidation to put intent behind it. This startles the henchmen, causing them to hesitate. As this happens Kenta charges the bandit that tried to hack his shoulder. He kicks the bandit’s arm that’s holding the sword with explosive power.

*Snap* *Clunk*

“Ahhhh!” The bandit screams in pain.

The arm is broken and the bandit drops his sword.

Kenta reactively picks up the sword and slices the bandits throat, blood gushes out and stains the sword. He drops to his knees and falls to the ground, gasping his last breath.

The two other henchmen are stunned at the sight they’re seeing. This soon turns in to a blind rage as the two charge Kenta with murderous intent. They start swinging and swinging, attacking without thought. Kenta is able to block, parry and dodge all of them.

Kenta is a martial artist; he knows how to fight. He can control his body like no other. Kenta learned how to fight without any weapons, using only his hands and feet. Although he did dabble in kendo for a bit, and got to an average level of sword mastery. He decided to give it up, to pursue the path of the fist. Kenta knows these bandits are wearing armour, and although his punches and kicks are powerful, they are unable to break the iron. He needs to rely on the sword he has for precise damage.

The two bandits are still ferociously attacking Kenta, but one of them stopped for a second, perhaps getting worn out. That was a fatal mistake. Kenta seeing this, instantly took advantage of this, as he thrust kicked the bandit in the chest, sending him flying backwards. The other bandit lunges at Kenta, but now that he is the only opponent, Kenta bashes their swords together, sending the bandit’s weapon flying away. Stepping forward Kenta pierces his sword through the bandit’s neck with deadly accuracy, crushing and severing the bones. He falls. Only one henchman remaining.

This should be easy.