Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple (史上最強の弟子ケンイチ)

Tanimoto is Hermit?

I don't understand.

Yeah, I was pretty confused about that myself...

but it looks like the friend thing

was just an act to pull me in.

Whoever he is...

that kid has received some impressive training.

Yes, I agree...

Such skill is rare in one so young.

Chalk it up to experience, I suppose.

Easy for you to say!

What is it?

It's just... Hermit-

I mean Tanimoto- asked me something...

While we were in the middle of fighting

he asked me if my master's name was Sougetsu Ma.

Does that make any sense to you?

Master...? What's wrong...?

Let's go...

You've put off your training long enough.

Right. I'm sorry.

Not fast enough!

Kenichi must be quick like tiny rabbit!

I've never seen Kensei look so serious before...

Who is Sougetsu Ma?

I have to know!

Something tells me he's not just gonna spit it out, though.

For all I know everyone here

could have some sort of secret past

they're not letting me in on...

I'm supposed to be their disciple

and they don't tell me anything...!

It's not fair.

Faster, faster, faster, faster, faster...

A-pa-pa!!

Oh! Tiny rabbit got distracted!

Your magazine's upside down.

Is not!

Something is definitely wrong...

But right now...

Uh-oh! Kenichi, please don't die!

Another day in hell...

What's he doing sneaking out in the middle of the night?

I've followed him this far...

can't let him get away now...

Ah! Too late!

He's gone!

Man... where the hell did he go...?

I'm so stupid...

Okay, I'm the worst spy ever.

Did that even count as espionage...?

I kept expecting you to do a little dance

and wave a red flag.

This is as far as you should accompany me, Kenichi...

Have some take out and go home...

It's on me this time, don't worry about it.

No, thank you!

I'm afraid it'll be impossible to guarantee your safety

if you follow me any longer tonight...

now be a good disciple and run along home

before things get sticky.

Being your disciple isn't just about training together

and living under the same roof,

it's about sharing your burdens, too...!

I want to go with you, Master!

So you're prepared, then...?

To face whatever may happen?

I am!

Alright-y... you can come along...

But this means that if I jump off a cliff,

you have to do it too, you know...

That's the rule of following.

Please be joking.

Cool! We get to eat first?

Ahhhh.

I figured you'd show your face sooner or later... Kensei.

Master Hakubi...

It's been a long time.

What is this place...?

A bald club?

I'm not bald.

No... This man is the strongest fighter in the district...

Actually, his entire name is Hakubi Ma Ryou...

And he is my uncle.

A feast...! I'm in heaven!!

Eat as much as you'd like.

Ah! You're a good man...

And not--bald at all!

Thank you.

Time to eat!

Tell me, Kensei...

I know two reasons you might have come here today,

so which is it...?

Are you looking for Sougetsu?

That's right...

Is it true he's in the country then?

Yes.

Alright. Then I suppose

I'll have to have a little chat with him.

A chat, huh...?

Do you really think that's going to help?

Who is this Sougetsu guy?

Sougetsu Ma...

Otherwise known as my big brother...

What...?! You have a brother?!

Mmm... a troublesome one at that...

Chaos seems to follow him around like a puppy...

Right now he's being hunted by some of the mafia's

most notorious hit men.

That's just who Sougetsu is, he was born to fight...

He's never been able to control those brutal tendencies...

But this district can't afford the surge of violent crime

he'll bring along with him.

I know... I will find him.

You really just come here for your brother?

Oh... That's the other reason

I thought you might have for stopping by.

Man. He's fast.

Not a bad attempt for such a lovely young lady,

but I'm afraid I have years of experience

dodging similar attempts on my life.

What...? Who's she?

Really, Daddy? I don't even get a hello...?

That's nice.

Daddy...? Like sugar daddy...?

So he... and she, they...

-They're like a... ahhhhhh -Ew! No! We're not!

She's my daughter, Renka, you disgusting boy!

She's sixteen!

Wha...?!

You mean you have a daughter?...?

Come to think of it, you've mentioned that before.

Huh. Don't worry, your wife and the other two kids

are still far away in China.

That's right, Daddy,

I'm the only one you should be worrying about right now...

I've had this place staked out for weeks...!

Knew you'd show up someday!

I'm taking you back home with me tonight!

We-heh-hell...! Kensei, I'd say you're in a pickle.

Now come on...! Just give it up, old man.

Forgive me, dear.

Well... Guess that's a wrap.

Not... funny.

Wait! Don't go, Daddy!

Kensei!!

Get your face... out of there!

This. Is not. My fault.

Believe me, you're not who I meant to catch.

Yeah, I got that...

Why are you trying to force your dad

to come home anyway?

Geez you really don't know anything, do you?

My dad is the leader of the Phoenix martial arts sect.

He has over 10,000 disciples waiting for him

back in China.

Really? That's so cool.

Yeah. Well dad said it was too much responsibility.

He gave all the leadership duties over to mama,

packed a bag, and disappeared.

Sounds right.

And now I find him in Japan,

hanging around with some loser kid...

so exactly who are you, again?

Oh... Who, me...?

I'm Kenichi Shirihama...

a sophomore in high school...

And I happen to be your father's number one disciple!

You idiot...! Didn't anyone teach you to dodge a punch?!!

Poor Daddy!

He's sunk so low in life

that he can only find one scrawny little disciple...!

Oh, it must be humiliating

to have a student who can't fend off one helpless girl!

He seems okay with it.

Oh... You're up already...

Well, at least you can take a punch... kind of...

Yeah... The masters are always saying that...

I have an unparalleled ability to get beat up.

And that makes you what?...?

Proud?

Please stop hitting me, Kensei's daughter.

So. Where did my dad run off to?

How should I know...?

You're his daughter, aren't you?

Shouldn't you have some idea?

If I did, you'd think I'd be wasting time

with his charity project?

So. Not the best part of town.

Lots of scary people.

This whole neighborhood's under the control of the mafia.

Then whaddaya say we get outta here

and get ourselves a latte or something?

You can go. I have something I wanna ask these guys.

Oh yeah? What's that?

Where I can find my uncle Sogetsu.

Hold up! You mean you're not looking for Kensei??

Boy you're slow...!

You see my dad is looking for uncle Sogetsu,

so if we find him first, we can ambush him.