Chapter 038 - Blackmail Training

I trudge up the mountain path, my scowl deepens with each step. The sun beats down on my back which makes me sweat. I grumble to myself. I should have chosen a training place that's closer.

"Hmmm, this feels somewhat familiar," Saitama comments who is walking beside me. "This remote location is giving the feeling of déjà vu."

"You trained alone in a remote location before?" I ask.

"No. It's with someone."

I pause. He's with someone else in a remote location?! Who?! I am about to ask when I see a small cabin nestled among the trees. And standing in front of it, waving at us, is a petite woman with raven black hair and a friendly smile.

"Miss Fubuki! Welcome to our inn!"

"An inn?" Saitama asks. "I thought you were going to train?"

"Yes. Where do you think we will sleep for five days?"

"Outside?"

I grunt. "No way."

"But—"

"No excuses!" I say, cutting him off midway. "I paid you for the entire five days, and I asked you so nicely too."

"Asked so nicely, or blackmailed me so wisely?"

I cross my arms across my chest as I remember how I challenged him to a game and he lost, spectacularly. "Ha! At least you will learn who's the boss."

The old woman approaches us and takes our bags. "I am Madame Aoi and I will serve you for the five days that you will stay here."

"Thanks, Madame Aoi. I think we will only need help in the morning and at night. We will be mostly outside during the five days we will stay here."

"Oh, that's a frisky way to spend a honeymoon," she says and winks at me.

"Ho-honeymoon? Oh! That's not it!" I deny it while getting red in the process.

"Someone newly married is here too?" Saitama asks.

"She is talking about us," I supply, embarrassed.

"Oh," is the only thing he says.

"Oh, never mind that. I will make sure you will be at that point before you leave," she says.

I am about to complain when Madame Aoi cuts me off with a series of laughter. "Come in now, you youngsters. You must be tired of the hike up here."

She gestures inside the cabin and we all step inside. The inside of the cabin is cozy and warm. The wood stove in the corner emits a comfortable heat, making me feel at home. Madame Aoi shows us around, pointing out different amenities and features of the cabin.

The walls are adorned with paintings, some of which look like they were hand-painted. The furniture is simple but elegant, and it looks like everything is very well cared for.

"Here is your room," Madame Aoi says, opening the door to a small but comfortable-looking bedroom.

Saitama and I thank her before unloading our bags and getting settled in. We quickly change into more comfortable clothing.

"Let's go," I say to Saitama as I am leaving the room.

"Wait, Fubuki," he says.

I tilt my head to him. "What is it? No complaining about a single room. Besides, I have nothing more to pay you. I've used up all my savings for this."

"That's not it!" He clears his throat and says, "I just want to clarify that I won't take any more disciple. Genos is more than enough."

"Why would I want to be your disciple, when you clearly lost to me?"

Saitama blinks in surprise. "That's in a game!"

"Settle down, Saitama. I just need you to train me these coming five days."

"That's all?"

"Yes, that's all."

I need this. If I gain strength from Saitama, then whatever I paid for five days here is all worth it. All I need is to prove myself.

"So, what do you have in mind?" he asks, breaking my reverie.

"What do I have in mind?" I ask back to him. "What do you mean?"

"The training plan, you have it, right?"

"What training plan? You are the trainer!"

"Ha?" he asks, leaning his head to one side, clearly befuddled. "That's expected of me?"

I hit my head in exasperation. "Fine! No training plan, you just need to fight me!" I hiss at him.

Saitama considers it. "Maybe you can get a refund and we can return to the city?"

"Fine." I slump on the floor at the first obstacle on this road to power. "You might think I am helpless and I can never be strong enough, even with this amount of money I spent for five days of training."

"Okay, okay, I will do it," he says. "I will fight you for the succeeding five days."

I perk up. "So, can we start now?"

"Yes, please."

I grin at him. I prepare my things and lay out the necessary items and food for our training.

"That's too much," Saitama comments.

"Ha? This is just enough for two people for lunch and snacks."

"Fine, if that's what you think."

And so we leave the small inn and walk down the mountain path. Seeing a clearing, I pause, "This place might do."

"Are you sure?" he asks.

"Yes. It's wide enough." I drop my things on the ground and say, "Let's start?"

Saitama nods and takes a step back, getting into a fighting stance while I do the same. Without warning, I charge towards him, hoping to catch him off-guard, but he easily dodges my attack.

I'm amazed at his speed and reflexes, but I don't let it discourage me. I try again, this time with a different approach, but he easily blocks my moves.

Then, as we stand at opposite ends of the clearing, I size him up. This is it. I will become stronger and prove myself.

Saitama starts to walk towards me, his fists by his sides. I prepare myself for whatever he's going to throw at me.

Suddenly, he dashes towards me at an incredible speed. I am about to counter with an attack of my own when I realize that he did not attempt to punch me.

"What are you doing?!" I ask, annoyed.

"Ha?" he asks.

"You are only dodging my attacks! You never try to punch me!"

"Ah! That's because, ahm, you know, there are a lot of trees behind you and, ahm, they might get obliterated if I do punch you, and well, including you."

"What?! What kind of tall story is that?!"

"I am the teacher this time. Why can't we continue this process? You attacking, and me dodging?"

"No! That won't make me stronger!"

"But at least you will stay alive," he says.

"You!" I stomp my foot in frustration. "You are seriously looking down on me!"

"That's not—"

"Then, starting now, if I land a hit on you, you will stop dodging and start attacking!"

He winces at my suggestion. "Ahm, Fubuki, I don't think that's a good idea," he says, scratching his temple.

"Why is that?!"

"I told you the reason."

"And I say bogus to that!"

I huff in annoyance, and he exhales. "Fine. If you land a decisive blow on me–if you really hit me and make me bleed, I will think about attacking you."

"You said it!"

And so, for hours, we continue our intense training session. I hit him as hard as I can, but even if some of my attacks are going through his defenses, I never land a decisive blow that can make him bleed.

Soon, I am already so frustrated that my psychic power has become a mess. I have even forgotten about my lunch and soon, the sun is setting.

And as the sky turns into a deep shade of orange, I slump down to the ground, panting heavily. Saitama comes up to me and kneels down. "Hey, are you still alive?" he asks.

"Fuck you!" I scream at him, even though my voice is shaky.

"Want to end today's training now?"

"No! I need to become stronger!" I snap. "Why can't I hit you hard enough?!"

"Maybe because you are too weak?"

I hit his cheeks as hard as I can, but it didn't make any gash on his face.

"Ah!" I scream in frustration.

"I think you need rest," he says, pulling me up on my feet.

"Damn, I hate you!"

"Ahm, okay..." he says.