To Become a Shinobi Ch. 11
By Eliad Sholomovich

Gen was walking down the streets of Hong Kong. The few hours of meditation had left him somewhat calm.

"I hope those good for nothing grandsons of mine remembered to get the groceries. If not they'll be running laps until they’re thirty" Gen thought as he approached the neighbourhood near his dojo.

Meanwhile, inside the dojo Yun, Yang and Ibuki were sitting near the table and she was listening to their tales of the training and fights they’d experienced. Ibuki smiled.

"They’re so cute I can't decide which is better. Yun is funny, open and considerate while Yang’s more of a gentleman and he’s so sweet and kind. If only I wasn't on a mission. Well that’s just my bad luck as always." she thought and sighed. She turned to look out the window. Outside the sun had set, painting the sky in a beautiful red and golden colour. Ibuki looked through the window. "How beautiful" she thought. Yun smiled.

"I can feel it. She's gonna choose me. Yang's so dull who needs a guy like that? Well I feel sorry for him. He doesn't stand a chance. If she somehow chooses him it ain't that bad. There are plenty of fish in the sea. Who am I kidding? I really hope she chooses me. You can't find many like her." Yun thought and looked at Ibuki as the rays of the sun covered her with a red and golden light.

"She’s so beautiful." Yang sighed. "She’s also smart and funny. She's so perfect. I don't know who she'll choose but I really hope it’s me, but even if it’s Yun I wouldn't mind having her as a friend." he thought as he gazed at Ibuki as well.Then he remembered something important and turned to Yun "Yun, did you buy the groceries Grandpa asked for?" he asked. Yun stared back at him.

"I thought you said you'd get them?" Yun responded. Both of them went wide-eyed and gulped. "Oh boy… Grandpa's gonna have a fit" Yun mumbled.

"There's still time. But we've gotta go now." Yang said and then turned to Ibuki. "Ibuki would you mind staying here?" Ibuki shook her head.

"No, not at all. Go and finish your errands." she said. "Poor guys, I know I hate it when my mom gets angry. But at least she can't make me do extra training if I slip."

We gotta go. We'll be back in an hour or so" Yun said and both took a bundle of bills and dashed through the door. Ibuki shook her head.

"Well I might as well train a bit since I'm all alone." she said to herself. She took her bag and changed into her ninja uniform. She stood in her stance and started her Kata.

**Outside the Dojo**

"D*mn that stupid kid," Balrog muttered. "What’s taking her so long. I haven't got all week to wait for her to move. When I..." he stopped as he heard a voice interrupt him.

"What are you doing here Balrog?" a voice hoarse from age questioned. Balrog jumped to his feet.

"Gen! Well isn't this a pleasant surprise. I'm not here for you so back off!" Balrog replied. Gen flexed a bit.

"I know your ways of evil Balrog. Even if it’s not for me I can't let you accomplish your mission" Gen said.

"You’re gonna pay for stickin' your nose in my business old man" he growled and entered a boxing stance. Gen smiled and entered his Ki-ryu stance.

"Very well Balrog I shall accept your challenge" Balrog smiled and dashed forward swinging his fist. Gen dodged and kicked his chest and placed a palm strike to the same area before ending the chain with an uppercut. Balrog reeled but in an instant dashed back and nailed Gen's chin with a jarring punch.

"You’re getting weak old man. This time you’re history" Balrog said. Gen narrowed his eyes. Balrog smirked and dashed with an uppercut. Gen leapt over Balrog's fist and dashed downwards, hitting the boxer's back. Now that he was vulnerable, Gen placed 6 kicks to Balrog’s back before somersaulting backwards to land on his feet. "Your confidence is your flaw you fool. I will teach you for underestimating your foes." Gen thought, parrying a punch and feeling his arm hurt from the power of the blow. Gen felt the pain in his arm increase as he continued to block and parry Balrog's swings. Gen kicked at Balrog's feet, hoping to trip him up but Balrog leapt over his leg and nailed him with another punch. He rammed Gen with his shoulder and added an uppercut.

Gen saw Balrog approaching him and he leapt backwards. He planted his feet on a nearby wall and used it as leverage to jump over Balrog, causing the boxer’s face to slam into the wall due to him being unable to stop the momentum of his attack. Balrog turned around, his face a bloody mess as three of his teeth were now broken. Balrog raised his fist and jumped. He tried to hit Gen but the former assassin side-stepped and hit Balrog's temples with his fingertips. Balrog reeled backward, shaking his head.

Gen jumped forward with a kick to his chest and started hitting Balrog with palm strikes as he quickly changed into his So-ryu stance, his hands moving like a blur. After about 10 seconds Balrog managed to slam his fist into Gen's abdomen, stopping the onslaught. He backed away and leaned on the wall feeling the warm surge of blood run from his nose and the pounding of his head. He wiped his face and spat a surge of blood and tooth chips.

"I can't lose to this old a**hole. I just gotta find the right time and bam he's mine."

Gen nailed him with two mid-air roundhouses. Gen thought that would put Balrog at bay but he noticed that Balrog was grinning. "Eat this old man!" he shouted and dashed forward. He punched the descending Gen's chest with a left-handed punch then a right uppercut. He continued his barrage with twelve more punches with each alteration of his hands, finishing it with a head butt causing Gen to fall backwards. Pain coursed through his body and he felt weak. He coughed out the blood that had gathered in his mouth from his now broken nose.

"I'm getting too old for this, but this isn't over you cocky fool" he thought and rose to his feet. Gen returned to his Ki-ryu stance and Balrog chuckled.

"You want more? Why don't you just bend down and quit. The strong always survive old man" said an arrogant Balrog. Gen concentrated, channelling his chi and narrowed his eyes.

"This ends now Balrog!" he shouted and dashed forward. Balrog swung his fist but Gen ducked under it. He placed two pressure point strikes on his neck, chest and stomach all in blinking speed. With a cry of "Shitenshuu!" he slammed his index finger into Balrog's solar plexus. Balrog groaned loudly and fell to his knees.

"What the f*** is this?" he thought as he felt his body coursing with pain. He fell to the ground and coughed.

"Now who's the fool." Gen said. "Never underestimate the old you ignorant idiot" he ended between breaths and turned to leave. He felt a horrible pain in his chest and he held his breath. "D*mm*t I'm getting too old for this" he thought as he limped away, but suddenly stopped to the sound of a cocked trigger.

"I won't fall that easily old man. I'm stronger than I used to be, Now die!!!" Balrog shouted and aimed the barrel at Gen. Gen looked in horror as he had no chance of escaping.

"I guess this is the end…" the former assassin thought as he awaited his demise.