Z-City.
The sky loomed heavy with thick clouds, a gentle breeze whispering through the air.
As the clouds bolted out the sun, raindrops began to fall, prompting the citizens of Z-City to scurry along inside their houses.
A flash of lightning illuminated the scene, followed by the resounding boom of thunder.
On the outskirts of the city, a towering rocky mountain stood sentinel, its rugged silhouette stood imposingly.
At the foot of this mountain, hundreds flight of stairs lead all the way to the summit.
Near the peak, a dojo rested, accompanied by a vast training ground for its disciples.
At the very top, a waterfall cascaded down, its waters mingling with the rain, droplets dancing upon the surface below.
Making splashing sound with wind howling as thunder raged on.
Inside the dojo, an old man with white hair knelt in seiza, occasionally sipping herbal tea.
Despite his age, his face bore only a few wrinkles, and his slim yet fit physique was a testament to his might in his prime.
In front of the old man, a young man sat casually, his posture a stark contrast to the disciplined demeanor of his master.
The two—one old, the other young—made an odd sight as they sat calmly while the rain poured down outside.
"Ahh... a heavy rain and a good cup of tea makes the perfect day" Bang sighed gazing out at the rain contendly after finishing his cup,
"With a downpour like this, I doubt your disciples will be able to practice today. I wanted to spar with you, but I guess we'll have to wait it out" Ren remarked, his boredom evident as he eyed the old man.
'SMACK'
"My disciples?" Bang questioned, smacking his forehead with a plastic hammer that seemed to have appeared from nowhere.
"You are one of my disciples too. Although your time here has been short, I've taught you everything I could. Now, you just need to forge your own path," he said, stroking his beard thoughtfully.
"Whatever makes you happy, old man," Ren replied flatly, rubbing his forehead.
Despite rarely visiting Bang's dojo, he acknowledged that his master had taught him earnestly.
Unlike other dojos where he merely purchased martial arts techniques without having any deep interaction with them.
"Anyway, it's good to take a break sometimes. Ren-kun, could you pour me another cup of tea?" Bang asked, feeling serene with the sound of rain hitting the ground.
"Why don't you pour it yourself, you old geezer?" Ren grumbled in response.
*SMACKED*
"Fine, you win," Ren said, annoyance creeping into his tone as he poured a cup for his master.
"Ho~ho~ho~ What a peaceful day," Bang chuckled, a smile spreading across his face as he watched his disciple rub his forehead in frustration.
As the rain continued for hours, it finally ceased, and sunlight broke through the clouds, casting a warm glow over the dojo.
The scent of damp earth filled the air, mingling with the vibrant colors of the leaves, evoking a sense of nostalgia for home.
Ren stood up from his seat and began stretching in the training ground, while his master, Bang, observed him from a distance.
After completing his warm-up, Ren called out, "Why don't we go for a round or two?" He beckoned his master with his fingers, a challenge in his eyes.
"You young people are full of energy," Bang replied, slightly amused, as he rose from his seated position and approached his disciple.
"It's been two years since we last sparred. Let's see how much you've grown," Bang said, taking a martial stance.
"Likewise. Let's start as soon as this pebble hits the ground," Ren replied, tossing a small stone into the air.
As the pebble struck the ground, a powerful shockwave erupted, splashing mud around the training area.
With a swift movement, Ren ducked a jab aimed at his throat and retaliated with a kick towards Bang's leg.
To which Bang didn't even bother dodging.
A stinging sensation shot through Bang's leg, surprising him at the strength of Ren's casual kick.
He quickly backed off, shaking his leg and narrowing his eyes in assessment.
"It seems your physical strength has grown significantly. I'll have to get a little serious," Bang declared, intent on gauging Ren's limits.
"Just what I wanted," Ren replied, excitement coursing through him.
'Will you dodge? Duck? Or meet my attack head-on?' Ren analyzed various scenarios in his mind.
[Dark Body Phoenix Rising Fist] Ren clenched his fist, purple energy glowing around it as he dashed toward his master.
Just as the punch was about to land, Bang, with blue energy swirling around his hands, deflected Ren's right fist with his palm, leaving him open.
[Fist of Flowing Water, Crushing Rock]
'BAM' BAM' 'BAM' 'BAM'
With a flurry of blue energy, Bang unleashed a barrage of strikes, hitting every part of Ren's body more than a hundred times in mere seconds.
Ren snapped out of his disoriented state just as Bang prepared to strike again.
Quickly, Ren caught both of Bang's hands, but Bang, with far more combat experience, reacted swiftly.
He shook off Ren's grip, seized both of Ren's hands, and leaped, driving his right knee into Ren's chin.
'BANG'
Followed by a punch that sent Ren spinning through the air, Bang executed a kick that knocked him several meters away.
Gasping, Ren quickly rose from the ground, his bruises healing rapidly.
"You certainly didn't hold back there," Ren spat, determination igniting as he dashed toward Bang once more.
"You've improved, but you think too much while fighting," Bang advised calmly.
"We're just getting started, old geezer," Ren replied, a mocking smile on his face, despite the dirt covering him.
[Bullet Time] Ren declared.
Suddenly, the world around him slowed, the sounds of chirping birds fading into the background.
Every detail in his field of vision was analyzed in an instant by his mind.
Taking a deep breath, he stomped his right foot forward, creating a small crater beneath him.
With both legs, he charged forward, leaving a trail of small craters in his wake.
A few meters away from Bang, he bent down slightly and inhaled deeply.
[Void Shaking Thousand Inch Fist]
With a long exhale, he unleashed a punch from a distance.
*WHOSSH*
A powerful air current surged from his fist, heading straight for his master.
Bang, caught off guard by the sudden attack but reacted with quick reflexes.
[Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist]
Waving his hands in the air, a blue circular dome formed around him just in time.
*BOOM*
A long trail of destruction marked where Bang had stood, creating a crater thirty feet deep.
Mud splattered everywhere, dust rising as the chaos settled.
Bang stood tall, his back unscathed, as the shield he conjured protected him from the brunt of the attack.
Though his shield had absorbed the impact, it still sent him skidding backward for several meters.
"Brat, that was quite a technique," Bang said, swinging his arms in a spirited manner. "But I still have plenty of energy for a workout."
Seeing that his attack had been countered, Ren quickly regained his stance, ready for more.
As the clouds drifted, the sun hung low, slowly retreating as night approaches..
The training ground echoed with the sounds of their sparring.
*BANG*
*BOOM*
*SWOOOSH*
Loud noises rang out for hours as master and disciple continued their intense sparring match.
The ground was littered with craters of various sizes, as if they sought to destroy everything around them.
Both master and disciple kept exchanging blows after blows with Ren trying his best effort to gain an upper hand.
Bang's combat experience and mastery over martial arts proved to be a formidable challenged.
Some disciples watched in awe.
While others grew bored, as the two fighters moved so quickly that their actions were nearly impossible to follow with the naked eye.
"Master, the sun is about to set. Stop fighting and take a bath!" shouted one of the more mature disciples.
At the call, both fighters paused, glancing at the sky the sun began to set, casting an orange glow.
Both of them paused and decided to continue another day.
.....
Inside a hot spring, master and disciple exchanged thoughts on martial arts techniques.
Their body relaxing in a soothing warm water.
"Ren-kun, you're only sixteen, right?" Bang asked, a puzzled expression crossing his face.
"Yeah, why?" Ren replied.
"Nothing, it's just that you're quite young but possess a remarkable physical body."
"You said you didn't focus on physical training, only reflexes and martial arts techniques, correct?" Bang questioned again.
Ren nodded.
"Listen, Ren-kun, while your physical body strengthens without training, your muscle memory is lagging behind. You need to train physically."
"Your martial arts are versatile, but they're chaotic and not suitable against someone strong, it's not practical" criticized.
"If you want to combine all the techniques you've learned"
"You must find balance. I would recommend discarding some of them, but it's all up to you and it might take a lot of time," Bang advised.
He thought that even if he does manage to create a new martial arts with all the techniques he learn it would probably take 2-3 decades.
'I know all of that. It's just that I don't have much time. Between studying, experimenting, and working in the company, I barely have time to practice martial arts,' Ren thought.
"You have a brilliant mind, but you overthink things. Even if you react quickly, your body can't keep up with the speed of your reaction."
"The mind must be master of the body." he said as his eyes turn white.
"Focus on all these aspects I mentioned, understand?" Bang shouted, noticing the bored look on his student's face.
"Yes, yes, Master Bang," Ren replied, half-serious, half-bored, which only served to irritate his master further.
_______
Sorry for the late update.
Not that sorry :p
Send power stone to motivate me ;)
Extra chapter per 100 power stones fair deal?
Recently I've been reading this novel -
Ninja world: I have life simulator.
It's really good try it.
As for why I'm advertising it?
Idk I just want to share it with people, I don't even know the author but the update is pretty fast so try it :D