The old dojo stood quietly beneath the morning sky, Its wooden structure creaked softly as the wind passed through the surrounding trees. Time had worn its walls, faded its paint, and left scars across its floors—but despite that, it remained strong.
Just like the ones who stood inside it now.
The air was still.
Heavy.
Filled with anticipation.
At the center of the dojo—
Seiichi Asuka stood calmly.
His posture straight.
His gaze sharp.
In front of him—
Three figures.
Shin.
Holding a long wooden staff.
Aoi.
With a training bow, arrows tipped with dull wood.
Hina.
Gripping a wooden katana tightly.
Their eyes were focused.
Determined.
Asuka looked at them in silence for a moment.
Then—
"…before we begin."
The three of them straightened slightly.
"…I have news."
Hina blinked.
"…news?"
Aoi tilted her head slightly.
Asuka continued.
"…both of you."
His gaze shifted toward Hina and Aoi.
"…have been promoted."
A brief pause.
"…Grade A."
Silence.
Then—
"…eh?"
Hina froze.
"…WAIT—WHAT?!"
Aoi's eyes widened.
Her hands trembled slightly.
"…Grade… A…how can i ?
Asuka nodded.
"…you've proven yourselves."
Hina's face lit up instantly.
"…ARE YOU SERIOUS?!"
She jumped slightly in excitement.
Aoi placed her hand over her mouth.
"…I… I didn't expect…" I didn't think i could be this strong.
Her voice was soft.
But filled with joy.
Shin chuckled quietly.
"…congrats."
Hina turned to him.
"…HEY, YOU TOO—"
Shin shook his head.
"…I've been there for a while."
Hina paused.
"…oh."
Then she frowned.
"…show off."
Aoi giggled softly.
The atmosphere—
Lightened.
But only for a moment.
Because—
Asuka stepped forward.
"…celebration is over."
His tone changed.
"…we train."
The air shifted instantly.
"…until the headquarters finds Mizorogi."
Silence.
Then—
"…yes."
All three answered at once.
Training Begins
Asuka reached to the side.
And picked up—
A wooden katana.
"…no killing intent."
He said calmly.
"…but don't hold back."
He looked at them.
"…because I won't."
A chill ran down their spines.
"…come."
He moved.
WHOOSH!!!
Gone.
"…!!"
Hina reacted instantly—
CLANG!!!
Her wooden blade barely blocked Asuka's strike.
"…fast—!"
Before she could recover—
THUD!!!
A strike to her side.
"…agh—!"
She was sent sliding across the floor.
"…too slow."
Meanwhile—
Shin rushed forward.
SWOOSH!!!
His staff aimed directly at Asuka's head.
But—
Asuka tilted slightly.
The attack missed by centimeters.
"…predictable."
He stepped inside Shin's guard—
BAM!!!
A palm strike to the chest.
"…gh—!"
Shin staggered back.
From the side—
THUNK!!!
An arrow flew.
Aoi.
Her aim precise.
But—
Asuka turned his head slightly.
And caught the arrow.
"…good aim."
Then—
He threw it back.
WHOOSH!!!
"…!"
Aoi barely dodged.
Her breath quickened.
"…he's overwhelming…"
All three regrouped.
"…together!"
Shin shouted.
They moved as one.
Hina from the front.
Shin from the side.
Aoi from distance.
A coordinated attack.
CLANG!!! CLANG!!! THUD!!!
Wood struck wood.
Fast.
Relentless.
But—
Asuka remained untouched.
Every movement—
Minimal.
Efficient.
He dodged.
Blocked.
Countered.
Like a machine.
Like a storm.
"…you're not thinking."
He spoke mid-fight.
"…you're reacting."
THUD!!!
Hina fell again.
"…agh—!"
BAM!!!
Shin was knocked down.
"…tch!"
Aoi stepped back—
Firing again—
But her arrows—
Were deflected.
"…again."
They stood.
Again.
And again.
And again.
Time passed.
Sweat soaked their clothes.
Their breathing became heavy.
Their bodies screamed in pain.
But Asuka—
Didn't stop.
"…get up."
Each time they fell.
"…again."
Each time they failed.
"…push further."
Each time they hesitated.
Until—
They reached their limit.
Hina collapsed.
"…I… can't…"
Shin dropped to one knee.
"…damn…"
Aoi sat down weakly.
"…I'm sorry…"
Asuka stood over them.
Silent.
Then—
"…good."
They looked up.
"…you've improved."
A small acknowledgment.
But from him—
It meant everything.
After Training
The sun began to set.
The dojo was quiet again.
Shin and Aoi rested nearby.
Meanwhile—
Asuka stood outside.
Hina approached him slowly.
"…Asuka."
He didn't turn.
"…what is it?"
She hesitated.
"…my flame…"
A pause.
"…it changed."
Asuka nodded slightly.
I know it will happen.
"…that wasn't normal, right?"
"…no."
He turned to face her.
"…you've reached the second stage of elemental technique."
Hina blinked.
"…second stage?" wait, shino has tell about it before.
Asuka Nodded his head and say shino is right because Shino smart and about the new Technique, She can also raise the second Technique in a week. That's because she told you
Asuka raised his hand slightly.
A faint spark of red lightning appeared.
"…my lightning…"
"…should be yellow."
Hina's eyes widened.
"…but it's not."
"…because your Yin energy…"
He looked at her directly.
"…adapts to your emotions."
"…your nature."
"…your will."
Hina looked down at her hand.
"…so that light…"
"…is yours."
A pause.
"…and if you reach this stage…"
He continued.
"…you can create your own techniques."
Hina's eyes lit up.
"…my own…?"
Asuka nodded.
"…don't copy others."
"…create something only you can use."
Silence fell between them.
Then—
Hina spoke again.
"…Asuka."
His gaze remained steady.
"…about Mizorogi…"
A pause.
"…are you doing this…"
She clenched her fists.
"…for revenge…?"
"…or…"
Her voice softened.
"…because he's become a monster?"
Silence.
The wind passed between them.
Then—
Asuka answered.
"…revenge."
No hesitation.
No doubt.
Only truth.
Hina lowered her gaze slightly.
"…I see…"
Days passed.
Training continued.
Harder.
More intense.
Their bodies grew stronger.
Their techniques sharper.
Their minds clearer.
They changed.
Then—
One day—
A message arrived.
Asuka looked at his phone.
From—
Akane.
"…location confirmed."
He read silently.
"…Mizorogi was last seen in Shibuya."
His eyes narrowed.
"…danger level high."
"…there's an event happening."
"…can you handle it without involving civilians?"
Asuka typed.
"Yes."
"I'll handle it."
He lowered the phone.
Then—
Turned.
Shin.
Aoi.
Hina.
"…we move."
They stood.
"…target—Mizorogi."
Hina's grip tightened.
Aoi nodded.
Shin smirked slightly.
"…finally."
Asuka looked at them one last time.
"…are you ready?"
Silence.
Then—
"Yes."
All three answered.
The air shifted.
Because this time—
It wasn't training.
It wasn't a match.
It wasn't preparation.
It was real.
And in Shibuya—
Among crowds of unaware civilians—
A monster waited.
And the hunter—
Was coming.
To be continued…