Chapter 56 - Shakkei

Everyone felt the pressure coming off Yuuki who permeated a fighting spirit that was the will of a person manifested from hatred to battle everyone could feel it especially those who have experienced them before.

'This kid….has he been killed before? No….this is someone beyond a prodigy and genius…'

Riu saw something monstrous underneath his form and stance where he was holding back not in a way that is weakening himself rather than locking something deep within him.

Her instinct in spotting little detail through years of experience gave her a profound intuition and saw that Yuuki has an extremely violent side that is balanced by his external persona. His talent for fighting stem from his crave for battle.

Meanwhile, Konomi couldn't help but sweat a little noticing that something was off and Yuuki stood yet didn't show any sign of opening but at the same time was wide open.

"Ah right, you don't need to call me by my name. Feel free to call me Aniki if you like."

Yuuki said, making her pause for a moment and somewhat felt flustered but nodded since he was older than her and partner to her Anedeshi (Senior Disciple).

"Alright, Aniki!"

"Hahaha good, let's dance, Konomi-chan."

Yuuki clenched his fist while Konomi sensed the incoming attack. He planted his feet into the ground causing another crack as he gathered force into his hands.

[ Destructive Death - Air Type ]

He sent a barrage of shockwaves that Konomi evaded and countered by sending her own attack. The impact managed to hit the boulder behind Konomi showing its devastating attack.

Konomi thought that she had to hold back in fear of hurting him yet Yuuki stood like an enormous wall for her the moment he took the first step.

[ Beast Power - Tiger Form: Tiger Claw Fierce Slash ]

By bending all five fingers on her hands to mimic that of a tiger's claw, Konomi lunges forward, attacking the Yuuki in front of her as if they were actual claws, tearing apart the ground with relative ease similar to an attacking tiger, using her hands and feet.

Their attack collided, canceling each other as Yuuki notes that she had great reflexes and instinct, making smiles and stepping back. They continued exchanging blow after blow seemingly changing the area where the sound of their attack clashing reverberated through the air.

Yuuki felt her claws ripped his skin but due to his durability having improved only had bruises as Yuuki the shockwave from his attack was being skillfully deflecting and parried by Konomi.

Riu and Kyouka continued to watch their fight with the latter proud seeing her Disciple fight while amazed seeing Yuuki holding his own, no, he was above in terms of skills to Konomi.

"Despite having numerous fighting styles, he doesn't seem to lack proficiency in them."(Riu)

"Indeed, he had been giving me pointers in my swordsmanship as well."(Kyouka)

Riu rubbed her chinned glancing to her older disciple then to Yuuki and said.

"So he knows how to use a blade as well? It's clear that he is a natural born fighter and seemingly craves a good fight even at the cost of holding himself."(Riu)

"He always mentioned that he was a battle maniac and violent when he was child that lessened as he grew." (Kyouka)

Kyouka had learned a lot of things about him ever since they started dating.

"I sense it. His like an unchained beast deep within. That aside, what swordsmanship does he study?"(Riu)

"He said that it's a form of breathing style called [ Sun Breathing ] along with another style opposite of it called [ Shadowed Blade of the End ]."(Kyouka)

Yuuki shared it and couldn't care less since to him, no one would be able to learn it without him properly teaching them and if they tried then it would lead to death due to their mishaps. Especially with his [ Probably Manipulation ].

"Huh. Breathing style? Is it just a breathing method?"

"It is but, Yuuki called it [ Total Concentration Breathing ] and explained that it has a specific way that can be incorporated into my Chaotic Cherry Blossom sword style."(Kyouka)

Total Concentration Breathing is a breathing technique which involves expanding one's lungs to intake as much air as possible, accelerating one's blood flow and heartbeat while increasing their inner body temperature, resulting in their bones and muscles becoming more excited.

Using Total Concentration Breathing essentially enhances the user's physical traits and capabilities while still remaining human. Such traits include superhuman strength, speed, stamina, durability, endurance, and the mental abilities needed to keep up with their superhuman bodies, such as a faster thought process and reaction time.

"Yuuki training methods require me to exhale into a gourd until it breaks."(Kyouka)

"I can see the benefits since a human person normally lacks the skill to utilize their entire body. How much have you improved after training?"(Riu)

"A lot, I get less tired and my senses sharpen to something I couldn't even imagine. I say that I'm 3 times stronger than before."(Kyouka)

Riu nodded curiously to what extent his breathing method allowed a person. Even in the real world on earth, the man named Wim Hof is able to stay in a cold climate shirtless without a problem by regulating his breath perfectly.

Fighters also train their way of breath that allow them to last longer but [ Total Concentration Breathing ] put it to the extreme.

Meanwhile, the fight continued with Konomi as they move faster than a normal person could see creating dust cloud as they clash with each other where Yuuki was getting craze by Konomi's assault and slowly getting into the fight and taking it more seriously while Yuuki also was surprised how much she was able to push him. He might have the inhibitors and was holding back by a lot but even still she was steadily growing.

'A genius in martial arts….'

Yuuki was a natural born fighter meaning his instinct to fight was highest among them while Konomi was a genius and talented individual having created his own martial art that cooperated her ability. He could not do the same since he copied most if not all his fighting style.

"Good, there's a lot lacking but you are certainly better than most I've fought."

"S-Sorry if I hurt you, Aniki!"

Yuuki flabbergasted hearing her apologize as he sustained small injuries while Konomi didn't have a single one. This only made him laugh and said.

"Fufuhahaha, stop worrying about me. This is a fight and a lesson for you. I'll be fine and it would hurt me more if you keep apologizing for minor injuries like this."

Konomi is unsure about it but somewhat understands since it essentially hurts Yuuki's pride as a warrior. Yuuki was hypocritical considering he was also holding back. That's because most if not all his martial art can kill her and this is simply a sparring match.

"Alright, Aniki! I won't hold back anymore!"

"That's what I like to hear! Now, let's take this up a notch, shall we?"

Yuuki crouches down, cocking both of his arms gathering energy and flexing his muscles as he bombarded Konomi with shockwaves.

[ Destructive Death - Disorder ]

Unleashing a flurry of attacks and The shockwave was like an explosion in the air as Konomi evaded them and suddenly charged her power even further than before.

[ Beast power - Output boost ]

Her power skyrocketed as she unleashed a shockwave around her from powering up as Yuuki saw her change her stances and performed a flurry of strikes.

[ Beast Power - Snake form: Snake Heavy Whip ]

Yuuki simply smiled seeing this and within an instant parried every single one where he changed his movement, having the force to use it as she was a lot more talented than he initially thought.

[ Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist ]

To their astonishment every strike had been redirected and parried by his swift movement that shocked Konomi as Yuuki closed in the distance as she tried to counter attack.

[ Beast power - Monkey Form ]

Her movement then changes with her nimble body allowing her to dodge his attacks that contain the force of her own attack as she stepped back panting a bit while Yuuki wiped the smudge on his face.

"It's amazing you are able to keep up. I haven't had this much fun against a martial art for a long time. You are basically using "Shakkei" and perfectly utilize it too!"(Yuuki)

"That's right, Myouga-san taught me all about it!"(Konomi)

Konomi proudly said having studied a lot to form her own martial art. Every fighting style derived from somewhere she took the essence of Chinese martial art into it.

"However, you lacked their ferocity and animalistic instinct. It's been a while but let's try this."(Yuuki)

Everyone watched him move his hands where they gasped in shock as he took a stance where they were able to see it clearly as he moved and how he turned his hands into a claw. The ferocious fangs and animalistic glare of the form made them see that it was a perfect imitation that Konomi couldn't grasp.

[ Shakkei - Tiger Fist Form ]

Riu was dumbfounded seeing a young man have such a level of mastery over Chinese martial art that it was not funny anymore. This is simply the fighting spirit of a person that manifests the form. Like they said the body achieves what the mind believes.

"How is he? It should take years to get this level of mastery when practicing martial arts yet he is not even over twenty."(Riu)

Her late husband was a skilled swordsman and had a level of mastery similar to this yet it took years of self improvement and discovery to garner the skill he obtained.

She saw him move and change his stance again this time where he took several animal stances from Hawk Claw Fist, Bear Palm fist, Mantis fist and Monkey fist until he stopped as they all just watched in silence unable to move.

"Prepare yourself."(Yuuki)

Konomi did as told and took her stance sensing that the fight was about to end as Yuuki took another stance where they were able to feel it. The Apex predator during the Late Cretaceous period had an enormous body and ferocious fang with a bite force unlike any prehistoric animal.

[ Shakkei - Tyrannosaurus Rex ]

Yuuki finished his stance giving a clear picture of the prehistoric predator where Konomi was awed at the sight until he charged at her. She changes her stances and stands on all fours, with one knee on the ground and her other leg raised into the air resembling a scorpion's tail. She then stands on both hands, she releases an X-shaped slash using both legs, unleashing a powerful blast of aura.

[ Beast power - Scorpion form: Red Needle Legs ]

His fist clash with her attack as if a T-Rex mawing down them despite Yuuki getting bruise from the attack still tenaciously push through and Konomi couldn't dodge when her sense felt like she was about to be devoured by enormous dinosaur only for Yuuki to stopped inches away and said.

"I win. You have a lot to grow but keep at it. Remember, they are worlds beyond your martial art and simply because your path is this doesn't mean you couldn't diverge once a while."

Yuuki held out his hand to Konomi who was shocked that she lost despite using her ability and saw that Yuuki is a person that she strived to and happily took it.

"Martial art is a journey and not a destination. You can learn how to improve it by looking through the eyes of others."

"I will, Aniki! Thank you for showing me your skills! I promise to strive to be like you!"

"Hahaha don't be, you are you and I am me, create your own path."

Yuuki gave a bright smile that smitten the young girl and didn't know what she just felt thinking it was simply admiration after experiencing his skill in person. Soon, Kyouka and Riu walk up to them while the latter looks at Yuuki and says,

"You are surely full of surprises, Boy. The way you utilize martial art clearly shows you are a master and natural born. Thank you for enlightening my students."(Riu)

"No problem and I am eager to see her blossom. Here's my number, call me if you need advice."

Yuuki took a piece of paper and gave it to Konomi making her blush a bit surprised to see a boy giving her their number. Though, it was more of a business card if anything. Kyouka scoffed upon seeing this and said,

"How many did you make to hand over?"(Kyouka)

"Many, hey don't look at me like that, I just want to help."(Yuuki)

"Sure you do, anyway, you should rest first before we go." (Kyouka)

Yuuki simply nodded as they stayed for awhile in the 1st unit sharing some things and getting a refreshment before leaving the place.