CH39: SIX MONTHS

This is a passion work. So, I would really appreciate it if you leave behind a review when you're done reading.

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CH39: SIX MONTHS

The next day came too fast for Korede's liking. He woke up early as usual and changed into a knee-length training short and a vest. He walked out of the room and made his way towards the open space behind the residence to begin his routine Oro Akogun (Warrior's ritual) regimen. On getting there, he met Hattori and Miyako Hanzo already there.

"You need to wake up early, kid. You know you don't have much time." Hattori admonished.

Korede didn't say anything and just nodded his head. Inwardly, however, he was complaining.

'It's just 5 am and you're saying I woke up late? When is early? 3 am? Oh, God.'

Aon chuckled as he was enjoying the show.

Korede began his usual regimen which lasted an hour. By the time he was done, Hattori said to him, "So that's your family's training exercise. No wonder not many people could continue with it."

"Yeah and this is just the lighter part of it. I have to rest for a while before I continue with the full routine." Korede replied.

Grandmaster Hattori nodded his head but inwardly, he was shocked.

"That's light? You soaked in sweat. Will you be drowning by the time you are done with the full regimen? Either the person that created this exercise is a sadist or those that practice it are masochists. Or is it both? I can't believe I was interested in learning it. My old bones won't survive one session."

The Oro Akogun movement routine comprised of irregular and unnatural movements and postures of the body, slightly similar to Yoga. However, that's where the similarities end. Unlike Yoga which is mild and relaxing, this was aggressive. Yoga relaxes and strengthens the body. Oro Akogun broke down, repaired, and strengthened the body repeatedly. Its effects were faster and more easily noticeable than Yoga. Conversely, it was far more dangerous than Yoga.

Miyako was smiling by the side. Unlike Korede, she could clearly tell what her grandfather was thinking. Korede was about to go get a shower when Kola walked out of the building. He greeted everyone before turning to Korede.

"I've been called back. I have to return immediately. HQ has already prepared a return flight for me. It leaves by 7:30 am."

"Did something happen? I thought you had a week off" Korede asked.

"Command completed an action plan. I'm needed back for its immediate implementation."

Korede nodded.

Kola turned to Miyako and asked, "Can I get a ride to the airport?"

"Of course. I'll drop you off on my way to work." Miyako replied.

"Oh yeah. If you need a fresh set of eyes on a case, I'm sure Korede would be happy to help." Kola said.

"Sure. I remember you saying he worked for an agency. I'll take you up on the offer." Miyako said.

"You are a police detective? I thought you were SDF?" Korede asked.

'Yes, I'm now a police detective. I retired from the force to take care of a stubborn old man."

"I can take care of myself." said the old man in question.

"Yes, yes." Miyako replied, playfully pushing the old man from behind into the house.

The brothers laughed. Korede was about to follow when Kola said, "Kid, learn as fast as you can and become stronger. The family put a lot of hopes on your shoulders and a lot of plans are already in motion. I'm doing my best to lessen your load but only if you're strong enough can I relax.

As for the NDz and the Emissary, I will try my best to hold off any missions against them till you return. I can't promise you anything for the Haram boys. If the president issues an executive order, my hands will be tied. So if you want to get after them too, you better become stronger, fast."

Korede nodded his head. A lot of emotions could be seen in his eyes. He could instinctively tell that his brother had sacrificed a lot for him over the years. Korede would do anything and everything in his power to lighten his load and stop being a burden.

Kola placed his hand on his shoulder and said, "Don't think so much. Just do what you have to do and let your Big bro handle the rest. Remember that you are a Balogun and I hope you will be the best of us all."

The brothers hugged their shoulders and walked into the house with a smile on their faces.

Thirty minutes later, Miyako and Kola left the house for the airport. The brothers didn't say any goodbyes. They just nodded to each other. What needed to be said, had been said. After watching the car drive off, Korede walked back to the dojo to begin his six months of gruelling training. Walking in, Korede had the illusion he was walking into hell's training field.

Before long, grunts of pains and sounds of a body slamming into hard surface were heard.

Aon watched on, enjoying Korede's misery. If he had a physical body, he would have brought out a chair and some popcorn to enjoy the show with. Alas, he didn't. That didn't stop him from enjoying himself though. He was looking forward to the next six months.

Six Months Later

"Korede, hurry up or you're going to be late." Miyako said.

"I'm coming, Sis." Korede's voice is heard from inside the house.

A minute later, he walked out of the house with Grandmaster Hattori in toll. None of the three had changed much these past few months. Only a few things changed that are worth mentioning.

One, Korede had completed his training. Two, he no longer wraps his right arm in a bandage. Three, his relationship with the Hanzos was so close that he was now considered a member of the family. Finally, he learnt to speak fluent Japanese. He had been speaking Japanese with Hanzos since his fourth week in Okinawa. (1)

No, he didn't learn the language quickly because he was a genius. Rather, he had the perfect cheat code.

{Life Communication}.

Korede had an epiphany and figured how to use life communication to learn a language. He had been speaking Japanese ever since and now his Japanese was very fluent without even the intonations you would expect from a foreigner.

He was carrying two long cylindrical cases wrapped together with cloth on one shoulder with a strap while he pulled his luggage bag behind him. He put his luggage inside the boot and looked at the object he was carrying on his shoulder before putting it into the car. He turned to Grandmaster Hattori and said,

"Master, remind me again why you had me make two swords?"

"Like I keep telling you. A samurai carries two swords" The old man replied.

"But I'm not a samurai."

"You were trained by one. You have the skills of one. You might as well carry two swords like one."

"That's being unreasonable, master. Do you know how hard it will be to get these pass customs?"

"Miyako had already arranged a permit for you."

"That only works in Japan. I still have to go through a lot of hassle in Nigeria."

"Well, that's your problem. I thought you said you are from a big family?"

"That's an abuse of power."

"Not my business. Do with it what you will in Nigeria, but as your master, I'm telling you you're getting on that plane with them."

Miyako shook her head and ignored the two man-childs(?) who were bickering just because they don't want to say their Goodbyes. The matter of the sword had been settled in both countries and both men are aware of this. They were just bickering for the fun of it. You could easily tell from the smile on their faces.

Miyako got into the car and started it. When Korede heard the rev of the engine, he quickly closed the car door. He bowed to his master respectfully before entering the car and seating in the passenger's seat.

The old man watched the car drive away with a smile on his face. During these last few months, he had never regretted taking Korede as his student.

Korede was not a genius. He could only be described as a monster. Hattori had already taught him all he could in four months. On top of Karate and Swordsmanship, Korede had also learnt Swordsmithing from him. The final two months thereabout were spent refining Korede's unique style and forging the two swords Korede was carrying.

What Hattori didn't know was that Korede had 20-30 extra days every night to train under perfect conditions in the {Training Space}. So, over the first four months, Korede had trained in the {Training Space} for a maximum of ten years to achieve what he did. Korede is a genius but not to the extent of mastering a martial art in four months.

Of course, Korede did not spend the entire almost ten years' worth of perfect training time on just Karate, Swordsmanship, and Swordsmithing. A bulk of the time was spent on his Will techniques and Tactics which were more difficult to train than Martial arts. Will Tactics required constant training to learn how to use it seamlessly and comprehension to improve it.

Just comprehension only took up the bulk of his free time. Although he had a thread to follow, turning in an acceptable comprehension to improve the Tactics was not as easy as he first thought. It took three years before he was able to comprehend the 'time' in each of the mentioned related tactics to improve them.

Currently, {Training Space} - Lv3 ie 3 silver rings; {Improve Speed } - lv2, {Sense boost} - Lv2, {Combat Master} - Lv2. {Life Communication} also increased to surprisingly to Lv3.

Unfortunate, even though his Will had awakened, he still had no idea what his Will manifestation was. Aon was also baffled as it had never seen a situation where someone did not instinctively know what their manifestation was.

In compensation, Korede was able to comprehend two other Will techniques, bringing his total number of Will techniques to three. One of the techniques was a type of sword intent in the sense that it needed a bladed weapon to be used.

Due to this, Korede was able to use the technique as his 'manifestation' to fool Grandmaster Hattori who was asking questions nobody knew the answer to.

Korede had asked him about his situation indirectly but the old man had also never heard of such a case. Inwardly, Korede felt his case had something to do with the Laws of Time and possibly that sealed Tactics. He had no proof, just his intuition but that was enough for him to put the matter to the back of his mind. It was not like he was adversely affected anyway. Most people have their manifestation being the only ability/skill related to Will, he had twelve. The difference is too huge.

All these thoughts went through Korede's head as the car drove towards the airport. He engaged in a hearty conversation with Miyako. As mentioned before, over the past few months, he had become a 'member' of the Hanzo family. Miyako treated him like a little brother she always wanted and Korede didn't mind treating her as a sister, mostly due to her lively character.

Eventually, the duo reached the airport. Miyako accompanied him to the customs check-in.

"This is me." Korede said.

"Goodbye, little brother. Don't be a stranger."

"I won't, sis"

The two shared a hug and Korede walked through customs before boarding his flight. About 17 hours later, the plane landed at the Muritala Mohammed International Airport.

[A.N: Please, don't forget to leave a review of the work to encourage me. Your opinion matters to me.]

AUTHOR'S NOTE/RAMBLINGS

1 From now on, consider all of Korede's conversations with the Hanzos to be in Japanese.

[A.N: Please, don't forget to leave a review of the work to encourage me. Your opinion matters to me.]