The silence of the academy's trial room was broken by Shiv's deep, halting breaths. He was in intense meditation, but one thought kept looping endlessly in his mind—"The Cracked Pathways."
"Ever since I learned my pathways are damaged, I haven't had the guts to use chakra… but the pressure of physical training is tearing my body apart," Shiv whispered, slowly opening his eyes.
It felt like shards of glass were cutting through his veins. But Master Vikram's technique was working; the excruciating agony was finally starting to fade. He stood up and muttered, "No time to waste. It's time to leave for Japan."
As soon as he stepped out, he ran into Aarav.
"Aarav? What are you doing here?"
"I've been searching for you forever. Come on, it's time to go," Aarav said with a light smile.
Shiv went back to his old room, where a poster of Lord Hanuman covered one wall and a martial arts animation print hung on the other. In the cool air, he slipped on his Semi-Bracelet.
"Soon, I'll be competing in the Martial Master War League," he vowed silently.
The door clicked shut behind him. Shiv pulled a dark hooded jacket over his white T-shirt. The thud of his high-top sneakers echoed through the quiet corridor.
Aarav gave him a quick once-over. "Nice. You're looking sharp today."
"For real?"
"Yeah. Let's move." Aarav's eyes dropped to Shiv's wrist. "By the way, why the Semi-Bracelet?"
Shiv raised his hand and stared at it for a moment. "Just… in memory of someone," he said softly.
A brief, wordless breeze passed between them. Aarav looked a bit uneasy but decided not to press.
Just then, Veeru's voice came from behind. "What are you two still doing standing around? Move it!"
"Yeah, we're coming," Shiv replied.
Aarav put a hand on Veeru's shoulder and murmured, "Bro, you showed up at exactly the right time."
"For what?"
"Forget it. Let's just get going."
Outside, the Yellow Strike Academy bus was waiting. Veer had already claimed the front seat. Dressed in a black turtleneck and heavy boots, he looked almost mysterious. The moment he saw Shiv, he clicked his tongue and turned his face away.
"What's eating him, bro?" Shiv asked.
Veeru whispered, "He wanted to settle the score with you in the exam, but now we're off to Japan for the team battle… his whole scheme's ruined."
The moment they reached the airport, Veer was the first one off the bus, stroding ahead without looking back. Everyone else trailed behind.
Aarav let out a sigh of relief. "Finally, we're at the airport."
Shiv's eyes went wide. "Bro, this place is massive."
As they walked inside, they spotted the girls from Virat Academy. Kavya was arguing with a girl in a bright orange-yellow outfit.
When Veer walked past, that girl smirked. "Oh? So is this your boyfriend?"
Kavya's face flushed red. "No! He's not my boyfriend at all!"
The girl grinned. "Whatever he is, you both come with me… I'll handle the rest solo."
"I told you, he is not my boyfriend!" Kavya snapped.
Veer's deep, icy voice cut through the noise. "Too much noise here." He ignored them and walked ahead.
The girl muttered under her breath, "Rude jerk. What's with the attitude?"
Then her gaze landed on Shiv. "So is this scaredy-cat your boyfriend?"
Kavya bristled again. "I've said it already—I don't have a boyfriend!"
"Kavya, what's going on?" Shiv asked, genuinely confused.
"Who are you to question her?" the girl shot back, but her expression shifted the moment she spotted Veeru. "Husband! You're here!" she shouted.
"...She ran over and hugged him tightly. Watching this, Shiv and Aarav immediately tried to quietly slip away.
'Hey! Where do you think you're going, leaving me here like this?' Veeru yelled after them.
Aarav folded his hands dramatically. "Dear God, never separate this couple!"
"Exactly my prayer," Shiv laughed, and Kavya just shook her head.
Viru came running after them, out of breath, and blocked their path.
But before they could slip away, Radha pointed a finger at them and shouted, 'Husband! Why are you hanging out with these brats?'
'BRATS?!' Shiv, Aarav, Kavya, and Ritika snapped back in perfect, offended unison.
A nervous Viru quickly covered her mouth.
"It turned out the girl was Radha Verma, from a wealthy family in Gujarat and Veeru's childhood friend."
Aarav couldn't help himself. "Looks like you set yourself up for your own embarrassment."
After takeoff, Shiv peered out the window. A massive Phinika Bird glided alongside the plane.
"They're incredibly powerful, yet so serene by nature," Aarav noted.
By evening, the plane landed in Japan.'
The evening air in Japan was crisp and carried a hint of sea salt. As the heavy doors of the arrivals gate slid open, Shiv felt a sudden wave of displacement. Everything was different here—the signs, the faces, the very rhythm of life.
Standing amidst the crowd was a Japanese man, his posture perfectly straight, holding a vibrant bouquet of red flowers that seemed to glow under the airport's LED lights.
"Welcome to Japan! Thank you all for coming to Keebo International Academy."
Shiv felt a cold sweat prickle his neck. The English words sounded clear, but his mind scrambled to find a response. 'I barely know English properly… what am I supposed to say?' he thought, his heart hammering against his ribs like a trapped bird."
Panicking, he shot Aarav a pleading look. Aarav took a deep breath and replied with pride,
"There's no need to thank us. It's an honor for us to be here."
The man seemed impressed. "Your English is very good."
"Thank you so much, sir," Aarav answered.
Just then, the principal of Virat Academy arrived and hugged the man. "Kids, this is Keebo Academy's Vice Headmaster."
Everyone was stunned, then bowed slightly and chorused, "Arigato!"
Shiv was floored. He thought, "How is this possible… I can't even sense their energy. They must be insanely powerful."