Kentaro is always looking for a challenge. In his travels, he's found many challengers. There were easy ones, difficult ones, despicable ones, and some that he's actually enjoyed battling. Above all, he has 2 major rivals as a Martial Artist.

Shinji Sasaki is always cool and focused. His speed and ninjutsu skill have earned him the nickname of "Tsubame no Shin", or "Shin of the Swallow". Recently, his training has brought out his true appearance, bringing him from human to swallow. Due to his failure to assassinate Shenlong Zhang, Shinji decided it was better to leave his village than face dishonor. Above all, his goal is to face Kentaro in battle and defeat him.

Jun-Fan Huang is an embodiment of heated passion. Despite a calm demeanor most of the time, he quickly becomes fearsome in combat. Years of training at the Shaolin Temple led to his lifestyle of training and perfecting his technique. After hearing of the tiger from his sister Mia, he's become interested in facing the tiger himself. Impressed by his strength and instinct, Jun-Fan became a good friend and a powerful rival.

Kentaro is a mix between the two in a way. He's focused and disciplined, but also hot-blooded. His lifestyle as a fighter began as a lifelong goal to defeat Zhang and avenge his father, but now his new goal is to become what his father was: a master. Once he's succeeded in that goal, he'll return home, where he will rebuild and re-open his father's dojo, so that the art of Miyamoto-ryu Karate may be passed to the next generation.

With rivals like Shinji and Jun-Fan, Kentaro's skills may always be put to the test.