Morning – Continued
The sun had fully risen.
Light spilled across the clearing but the atmosphere remained heavy.
Hiroto stood.
Barely.
His breathing rough.
His body screaming.
"…Again."
Goro didn't raise his voice.
Didn't need to.
Relentless Training
THUD.
Another strike.
Hiroto staggered But didn't fall this time.
His feet adjusted.
Slightly.
Goro noticed.
Didn't say anything.
But his eyes sharpened.
THUD.
Another hit.
Hiroto endured it.
Not reacting as wildly as before.
Progress
Tiny.
Almost invisible.
But real.
Akari watched closely.
Arms crossed.
Eyes focused.
Yui sat nearby.
Quiet now.
The Enforcer leaned back.
"…He's learning."
The Watcher remained still.
Then a presence.
Subtle.
Different.
Not aggressive.
Not hidden.
Just… there.
Mid-motion.
Hiroto noticed instantly.
"…What is it?"
No answer.
Goro's gaze shifted toward the edge of the trees.
"…Come out."
For a second Nothing.
Then—
A voice.
"…Sharp."
He stepped out from the shadows of the forest.
Calm.
Unhurried.
Like he had always been there.
Simple clothing.
Sword at his side.
Eyes observant.
Focused.
Akari tensed slightly.
Yui blinked.
The Enforcer smirked.
"…Another one…"
He scanned the group.
One by one.
Until He stopped on Hiroto.
Bruised.
Breathing hard.
Still standing.
A faint pause.
"…So that's how you train."
"…Depends who's asking."
Kenzaku's eyes shifted to him.
A brief silence.
Then—
"…Kenzaku."
No extra words.
Just a name.
Goro didn't react much.
"…State your purpose."
Kenzaku tilted his head slightly.
"…Watching."
Akari stepped forward slightly.
"…That's not an answer."
Kenzaku didn't look at her.
Still focused on Hiroto.
"…He's unstable."
"…You just got here."
Kenzaku nodded slightly.
"…Didn't take long to see."
No anger.
No mockery.
Just… truth.
Not interrupting.
Not defending.
Observing both of them.
Slow.
Measured.
Stopping a few steps away from Hiroto.
"…You rely on force."
A pause.
"…But your foundation is weak."
"…Say what you want."
"…But don't act like you understand me."
Barely there.
"…I don't need to."
Kenzaku's hand rested lightly on his sword.
Not drawing it.
Just… there.
"…Stand properly."
Hiroto frowned.
"…What?"
"…Your stance."
A step closer.
"…It's wrong."
He watches.
Carefully.
Just for a moment.
Then Adjusts slightly.
Silent.
Focused.
Then—
"…Better."
Hiroto blinked slightly.
Not praise.
But not insult either.
Looking toward Goro.
"…You're breaking him."
A pause.
"…But not rebuilding him yet."
"…That comes later."
For a brief moment—
They understood each other.
Toward Hiroto.
"…If you survive that…"
A pause.
"…I'll train with you."
Yui blinked.
"…Wait…you're joining us?!"
Kenzaku ignored her.
His eyes stayed on Hiroto.
"…Don't fall behind."
He stepped past them.
Like it was already decided.
No permission asked.
Silence lingered.
Then the Enforcer chuckled.
"…This just got interesting."
He looked at Kenzaku's back.
Not angry.
Not annoyed.
Focused.
"…Fine."
A breath.
"…I won't."
Cutting through everything:
"…Training isn't over."
Hiroto turns back.
Body shaking.
Eyes sharper than before.
And now—
Not just chasing strength.
But chasing someone ahead of him.
To be continued…