Ren Takeda stood before the towering gates of Muteki Dojo, clutching his training uniform in one hand. As he pushed the heavy door open with one arm, a deep voice rumbled behind him.
"You've got some strength in those arms, young man."
Startled, Ren reacted on instinct. He planted his hand on the ground and kicked backward with full force, connecting with something solid.
He rolled forward, landing on his feet, and turned to see an old man smiling, unfazed by the kick.
The old man adjusted his cloak, revealing a sharp gaze. "Not bad. Not bad. What's your name, and why are you in front of my dojo?"
Ren bowed slightly, steadying his breath. "Sorry for the sudden kick. I'm Ren Takeda, here with Yumi Fuyuzora's recommendation."
The old man's grin widened. "Ah, so you're that boy from back then. Trying to challenge me now?"
An overwhelming pressure suddenly fell on Ren, but he grounded himself, refusing to back down.
'Hoh.. so this must be Yumi's grandpa.' He thought
"I'm not here to challenge you," Ren said calmly. "I am here to learn, if you'll have me."
The old man's eyes twinkled with interest. "Follow me."
Inside, the dojo was vast, with training grounds and equipment scattered around. Ren's attention was caught by a massive man pounding away at a sandbag, each punch sending it flying.
"That's Batu, our Muay Thai master," the old man said casually.
Batu moved on to trees and rocks, fists crashing down with childlike excitement.
"Sorry about him, he gets a bit excited," the old man chuckled before shouting, "Batu! Take it easy!"
They continued deeper into the dojo when Ren's eyes widened at the sight of a slender woman practicing precise sword movements, her blades slicing the air with deadly grace.
"That's Rei, our weapons expert," the old man explained.
Suddenly, Rei's eyes snapped toward them. "What do you want?" she called out.
Before Ren could speak, she stabbed one of her blades into the training mat. "Shin, I know you're hiding."
A short man in a brown cap scrambled out from under a bench, camera in hand, eyes wide. "I was just, uh, documenting training forms for the records!"
"Liar." Rei pressed the blade to his shoulder, eyes narrowing. "You're always sneaking photos."
"It's just the scenery, I swear!" Shin squeaked, darting away as Rei flung three training kunai at him. Shin caught two with his hands and the last between his teeth before vanishing behind a stack of mats.
One kunai bounced and flew toward Ren's face, and he caught it calmly with his left hand. He exhaled, turning to Rei. "You really shouldn't throw these around so carelessly. What if it scarred me? I'd lose my face before I even found someone to marry."
Rei tilted her head, genuinely confused. "I would take responsibility."
Ren's eyes widened, and he raised his voice, pretending to be angry. "Are you saying you'd marry me if this hit me?"
"Yes," Rei answered firmly.
"Then swear on your martial arts that you mean it!" Ren demanded, pushing the moment.
The old man's eyes widened as he realized what was happening, but it was too late.
"I swear," Rei said, placing a hand over her sword.
Ren smiled, then lightly tapped his cheek with the flat side of the kunai. "Looks like I'm your fiancé now."
Rei's face turned pink.
For a moment, silence fell before Batu's laugh boomed across the dojo and Shin's head popped up, cackling, "Never thought I'd see Rei blush!"
The old man sighed, shaking his head as he looked at Ren. "This dojo was peaceful before you walked in, boy."
Ren just smiled, feeling that this place, with its strange warmth and chaos, might become his true training ground—and maybe, a place where he could finally belong.