After arriving at the base of Mount Yakushi, where Ryōkōjū was waiting, the old man explained to Tuziku more about his Abyssal Ability and his newly awakened source of power.
"Old man..." Tuziku scratched his chin.
"From what you've explained to me, is it safe to assume that this power is safe and won't go berserk?" he asked.
Ryōkōjū stroked his long grey beard.
"You have nothing to worry about, boy."
"Like I said earlier, an Innate Technique is solely meant for defensive purposes..."
"It's essentially a dormant, inherent ability that all humans possess, although the ability itself can vary."
He grinned excitedly.
Tuziku gazed at the sky while holding his chin.
"Hmm... then I can assume my ability to stop an enemy momentarily is something only I can do..."
Ryōkōjū nodded.
"Indeed. Over the years, only a few of the most powerful Underdogs have ever awakened this power..."
"Even I've never seen it before."
He folded his arms.
"And yet, you—a fifteen-year-old brat—actually awakened it!"
"Hey, I'm an Underdog too, you know!" Tuziku snapped.
"I guess that must mean I'm pretty strong..."
He grinned conceitedly.
Ryōkōjū chuckled, his arms still folded.
"Is that so?"
"Then..."
"Show me!"
Tuziku gazed at him with a blank expression.
"Show... you?"
"Show you what exactly?" he asked.
Ryōkōjū began to slowly approach Tuziku, his expression turning dark.
"...Show me just how powerful of an Underdog you actually are, boy!"
"Your training officially begins now!"
Tuziku slowly stepped backward, his limbs trembling with every step Ryōkōjū took toward him.
"Just like that?!"
"Ahh—"
Thud!
Suddenly, Tuziku tripped over a rock and fell flat on his butt.
"Ouch!"
"What are you doing, boy?!" Ryōkōjū snapped.
"Your objective is simple. If you manage to land a blow on me, you pass!"
"Now get up!" he shouted.
Tuziku immediately stood up.
"Come at me, boy!" Ryōkōjū said.
Tuziku clicked his teeth.
This is all so sudden!
Besides...
There's no way I can beat him...!
Tuziku clenched his teeth.
...No!
He glanced over at Ryōkōjū, who eagerly awaited his move.
Suddenly, Tuziku clenched his right fist and charged toward him.
"Ahhhhhh!"
Who the hell cares about all that crap?!
He swung his right fist toward the old man's face with all his strength.
And just as his punch was about to land—
Without taking a single step, Ryōkōjū calmly raised his left hand and swatted Tuziku's attack away, throwing him off balance.
But before Tuziku could fall—
"I've got ya!"
Ryōkōjū grabbed him by the shirt and pulled him upright.
"Right..."
SMACK!
"Oww!"
The old man smacked Tuziku across the back.
"I think I've got a good understanding now..."
"What are you talking about, Old man?"
"A good understanding of what exactly?" Tuziku asked with a confused expression.
Ryōkōjū stroked his beard.
"A good understanding of your current strength," he replied.
"I see!" Tuziku clenched his fist.
"So, does that mean I pass, Old man?!" His eyes lit up with excitement.
"No. You failed miserably."
"Yeah, I expected as much..."
Tuziku scratched his head with an awkward grin.
"Hey, Old man... those movements just now..."
"Was that Hakashi as well?"
Ryōkōjū nodded.
"That's right."
Tuziku folded his arms, wearing a confused expression.
"I thought the Hakashi Technique uses the wind?"
"How does the wind make you move like that...?"
Ryōkōjū placed his arms behind his back.
"Listen, boy... the Hakashi Technique was primarily created for defense. Once a person becomes one with the wind, they become capable of moving much faster and more precisely than they normally would," he explained.
"As the years went by, we developed ways to use the ability for offensive purposes. However, it is originally a defensive technique..." he added.
"Amazing..." Tuziku clemched his fists.
I can't believe I'm going to learn such an amazing technique!
He wore a proud and courageous grin.
"Boy..."
"Follow me," the old man said as he walked off.
"Huh? But I thought we were training here..." Tuziku complained.
Ryōkōjū continued walking.
Geez, what's with this old man?! Tuziku thought to himself.
"Hold on a second! Wait for me, Old man!"
A few minutes later...
Ryōkōjū stopped in front of a small tree a short distance away from Mount Yakushi.
"Why did you bring us all the way out here, Old man?" Tuziku asked.
Ryōkōjū pointed toward the tree.
"There aren't many trees in the rocky terrain of Shiriku."
"You mean you were looking for a tree?!" Tuziku snapped.
"Boy, watch closely."
Ryōkōjū's expression hardened as he took a stance.
Suddenly—
He began demonstrating a pattern of unique movements, using mainly his limbs.
As he moved, streams of wind swirled around his body, his hands meticulously guiding those streams around him.
As Tuziku witnessed this stunning display of technique, he couldn't help but gawk in awe at the breathtaking performance.
Wh—what are these movements...?
It's so...
Incredible!
As soon as Ryōkōjū finished—
Tuziku bolted toward him.
"Old man—"
"That was... amazing!"
Ryōkōjū chuckled.
"Did you get a good look at it?" he asked as he stroked his beard.
"Next is your turn!"
"What are you talking about, Old man?" Tuziku chuckled.
"There's no way I can perform those movements...!"
He clenched his fists.
Ryōkōjū sighed.
"Are you seriously giving up at the easiest part...?"
"Mastering those movements is critical to learning the Hakashi Technique," he stroked his beard.
"Those movements are what establish the connection between you and the wind!"
"Without performing this technique at least once, we can't perform all those fancy movements and abilities," he explained.
Tuziku scratched his chin.
"So... in a sense, those movements are what allow a person to manipulate the wind?"
He tilted his head.
"Precisely," Ryōkōjū replied, stroking his beard.
"Although... you only need to perform it once a day to gain access to the wind."
"So, we don't need to perform it every time we use it?!"
"Phew! What a relief."
Tuziku grinned.
"Although the movements are quite bizarre, it isn't that difficult to learn once you've seen them in person a few times..." Ryōkōjū explained.
"That's why we make sure we perform them every morning in private. That way, our enemies won't see them in battle!"
"That's actually pretty smart."
Tuziku applauded.
"And now that you mention it, the movements didn't look too difficult," he added.
"With that being said, boy... I'll show you the movements one more time. Make sure you memorize them!" Ryōkōjū shouted.
...
And thus, Tuziku officially began his Hakashi training.
CHAPTER 43 END