Chapter 22 Kato (1/2)

Three days later.

Master Shifu was busy observing Kyle, who was shirtless and doing the horse stance. He walked around him, looking at the position and then he would suddenly kick at the back of Kyle's leg. Kyle didn't flinch. Satisfied, Master Shifu then jumped up and landed right on Kyle's shoulders.

Kyle grunted, but didn't budge. Master Shifu bent down, staring at Kyle's face upside down. He then started running on the spot, with each step down pressing upon Kyle's shoulder even more. Kyle's stance shifted down a little bit on the 20th stomp and Master Shifu tsked.

Jumping off, Master Shifu rapped at the top of Kyle's head. ”Is that the best you can do?”

”No, Master Shifu,” Kyle replied respectfully, ”But you gained weight.”

”Cheeky brat,” grumbled Master Shifu, rapping the top of Kyle's head even more, ”Now go and spar with them.”

Master Shifu watched as Kyle jogged over to the sparring mat. He had to admit, he was satisfied with Kyle's performance. He had shown great aptitude to the basics of the art, and his head seemed to seep all the knowledge and skills like a sponge. His mind was sharp, his senses were keen and his passion undeniable.

Master Shifu sighed, thinking of his own deceased son. He grudgingly admitted that Kyle was better than his son in this aspect. Master Shifu continued watching as Kyle first sparred with those of his same build, then bigger. Finally, to fight several at the same time. The men had been hired muscle, and were paid highly to be beaten up. The men were from various backgrounds, with differing styles of fighting.

Ever since D-Day, Kyle had been training like a demon. Theory and sparring safely wasn't satisfactory anymore. He needed real experience. Thus, the sparring was upgraded into the form that it is right now. As of last year, when Kyle entered puberty, Master Shifu had started another programme.

Like Batman, Kyle's duty was to infiltrate the seedier parts of town, save people and leave. Sometimes he was allowed to go out in the open and beat up the criminals in public (with his face hidden, of course), sometimes he was required to use stealth (enter their HQ or living quarters and). Kyle learned the basic rule of the street as well : Never show mercy.

It didn't take long for Kyle to get a street name: Ice. Kyle wore coloured contacts whenever he went out, but instead of opting for a less striking colour, he merely chose the type of contacts that lightened his own blue eyes. As a result, instead of deep blue sea colour, it was striking light blue. He hardly talked, he was cold, and he finished off his enemies quickly. ”Ice” appeared fitting.

Master Shifu decided that today, was the day.

Calling Kyle over, Kyle first bowed as thanks to his sparring partners that were groaning on the floor. They waved at him, and he came over to Master Shifu and waited patiently.

”Kyle,” Master Shifu began slowly, then sighed. Resolving himself, Master Shifu looked at Kyle straight in the eyes and continued, ”Kyle Kato Smith. Do you accept?”

Kyle's eyes widened. Kato was Master Shifu's true name, carrying the name of the original ninja. It was said that Kato Danzo was his ancestor, a ninja that specialised in the art of illusion. It was Kato Danzo that gave ninjas the reputation of having magical powers.

Kyle immediately went down on his knees and kowtowed three times. ”Disciple greets Master Kato.”

Master Shifu/Kato patted Kyle's head, tears in his eyes. ”Good, good. From now, the real training begins.”