Ichiro put on the gloves and looked at his father questioningly.
"Come here and punch this bag with your fist," Kenshin commanded.
Ichiro approached the bag and punched it, barely shaking it.
"Not good enough," Kenshin said, then punched the bag himself, making it swing noticeably to the side. He walked over to his son and showed him a boxing stance.
"Like this—stand in this position and throw the punch not just with your arm, but with your whole body. For starters, learn to put the power of your torso into the strike. Go on, try it," Kenshin instructed his son, standing behind him and guiding his movements.
Ichiro tried a few times, and it started to work, so Kenshin ordered him to practice the punch for half an hour while he went to check on Aya.
As soon as Kenshin entered the Bedroom, Aya asked, "Where's Ichiro?"
"He's training. And from now on, he's not allowed in our Bedroom without an invitation," Kenshin replied calmly.
"What? But why? He's our son... Besides, he could just knock, in case we're not dressed..." Aya said in an offended tone. Like any mother, she loved her son boundlessly and felt deeply sorry for him.
"That's not up for discussion. I'll handle raising the older kids, and they need discipline above all," Kenshin stated firmly, unwilling to change his mind.
He approached his pregnant wife, sat on the edge of the Bed, and stroked her large belly.
"How's our second little one doing? Not ready to come out yet?" Kenshin asked with a smile, leaning toward the girl and kissing her sweet cherry lips.
"Mmm, not yet, but I feel like tomorrow," Aya purred. Having given birth once, she could sense changes in her body and predict the baby's arrival quite accurately.
After a while, Kenshin "heard" Ichiro's voice in his mind. He kissed his wife and left the Bedroom, heading to the Gym.
"Done?" Kenshin asked, and upon receiving an affirmative nod, said, "Punch the bag."
Ichiro punched the bag, and it swung about the same as from Kenshin's strike, though his technique was shaky. Kenshin was a bit surprised but didn't show it. He pulled out a helmet and slightly different boxing gloves, tossing them to Ichiro.
"Put them on and get on the tatami mat," Ichiro obeyed, and a few minutes later, father and son faced each other in gloves and helmets.
"Before we end training, you need to solidify your knowledge with practical experience, so we'll spar every evening. No full power. No strikes below the belt, got it?"
"Yes, Father."
"Good, let's begin!"
The next few minutes were one-sided. With his experience and years of training, Kenshin chased his son around the tatami mat, landing surprise strikes and dodging Ichiro's predictable, straightforward ones. Kenshin noted with surprise that Ichiro's strength, speed, and endurance were slightly higher than his own. The young father could only win thanks to his vast experience. By the end of the spar, Kenshin was more tired than Ichiro and even took one punch to the face. He staggered back, ended the spar, and said, breathing heavily,
"Not bad. Very not bad. Your physical stats are at pro athlete level. Just polish the skills, and I won't be your sparring partner anymore."
"Don't say that, Father. I'll never beat you," Ichiro protested.
"You already have. You've completely outdone me in endurance. Right now, I'm just a punching bag, while you could keep fighting."
"But my endurance wouldn't let me survive even ten of your strikes if you were going for the win!"
Kenshin smiled but said nothing. He liked this kid. Ichiro had grown into a respectful, obedient son, and Kenshin wanted to stroke his nonexistent little beard, clasp his hands behind his back, and stroll off on clouds like a true wise master. Instead, he laughed and said,
"Come on, help me carry the fish and rabbits. We'll swim and wash off the fatigue."
Ichiro smiled and nodded, following his father.
From the next morning, Ichiro followed a six-hour training plan: warm-up, running, push-ups, squats, weightlifting, and bag work. Kenshin told his son to spread the workouts over the whole day, but Ichiro tired more slowly and recovered faster than expected. Kenshin noticed a link to his Level 2 "Talented Offspring" ability, which boosted his kids' talents by 10%, matching Ichiro's roughly 10% edge in speed, strength, and endurance. Kenshin decided not to jump to conclusions and observe his next children.
By evening, Kenshin sat on the edge of the Bed, holding his wife's hand, waiting any minute for labor pains signaling the second child's birth. It didn't take long—in seven o'clock that evening, Aya gave birth to their second baby boy, whom they named Keiji.
"God, honey, look at the beautiful kids you're giving me!" Kenshin laughed, carefully handing over the baby.
"You're right! He's so cute! My little Keiji..." Aya murmured, pressing him to her chest.
The baby just blinked in surprise, not crying, staring curiously at his mom. Aya couldn't resist and kissed his forehead. Keiji suddenly wailed.
"Shh, Keiji, don't cry, obey Mom," Kenshin whispered, lightly stroking his second son.
"Ichiro, come here!" Kenshin commanded mentally.
Ichiro slipped carefully into the Bedroom, feeling awkward, but froze upon seeing the tiny bald bundle in his mother's arms.
"Meet your little brother, Ichiro—Keiji," Kenshin said, taking the baby. "Here, hold him."
Ichiro panicked and refused to hold such a fragile thing, afraid of hurting his baby brother, but after a few seconds, he carefully took the bundle.
Keiji stared silently with his blue eyes into his big brother's matching blue ones, grunted something unintelligible, then his lips spread into a sort of smile.
"Keiji..." Ichiro murmured, grinning widely, delighted to meet such a tiny, helpless brother.
"Don't get cocky. He'll grow soon and surpass you if you don't train harder!" Kenshin laughed, taking the bundle back and handing it to Aya.
"I'll be glad if little Keiji becomes very strong—he can protect you and Mom then!" Ichiro declared.
"Ha-ha-ha, that's the right attitude, but don't pass the buck! Train hard and set an example for all your future brothers!" Kenshin said, patting his eldest on the shoulder.
"Yes, Father!" Ichiro declared resolutely.
"Now let's go—let Mom rest," Kenshin said, and father and son left, letting the new mother sleep a bit.