The sun had barely risen over Kaminari Mura when Shinji and Denki found themselves standing at the entrance of the mountain training grounds. The air was crisp, carrying the scent of dew-soaked earth . Their bodies ached from the relentless training of the past week, yet their spirits burned with anticipation.
Tora stood before them, his expression unreadable. Beside him stood a young woman, her posture straight and unwavering. She was 17, with sharp eyes that seemed to pierce through the very essence of those she observed. Her hair was black and pulled back into a tight ponytail, and her attire was simple yet practical—a testament to her no-nonsense approach to life.
"This is Minori Todokanai," Tora introduced, his voice steady. "She will be your instructor from this day forward."
Minori's gaze swept over the two boys, assessing them with a critical eye. "I've heard about your progress," she said, her voice firm. "But words are just words. Let's see if your actions match them."
Without waiting for a response, she turned and began walking toward the training area, her footsteps purposeful. Shinji and Denki exchanged a glance before following her, their hearts pounding with a mix of excitement and apprehension.
---
*Day 1: The Balance of the Blade*
Minori wasted no time. She handed each of them a wooden staff, their first taste of the weapon they would soon wield.
"Balance is the foundation of all things," she began, her tone unwavering. "Without it, your strikes will falter, and your defenses will crumble."
She instructed them to stand on one leg, holding the staff out in front of them. "Maintain your posture. Feel the earth beneath you. Your center is the key."
The hours stretched on as they struggled to maintain their balance. Every wobble, every misstep was met with Minori's stern gaze and a simple command: "Again."
By the end of the day, their legs trembled, and their minds were weary. But they had learned the importance of grounding themselves, of finding stability in the midst of chaos.
---
*Day 2: Endurance Through Adversity*
Minori led them to a steep incline overlooking the village. "Today, we build endurance," she announced.
She handed them each a heavy stone and instructed them to carry it up the hill. "The weight you carry is not just physical. It is the burden of your resolve."
The climb was grueling. The stones dug into their palms, and their muscles screamed in protest. But Minori's voice echoed in their minds: "Your center is the key."
They practiced blocking and deflecting each other's strikes, their movements becoming more synchronized with each passing hour. Every failed parry was met with Minori's unwavering command: "Your center is the key."
---
*Day 6: The Flow of the Strike*
Minori demonstrated the fluidity of a well-executed strike, her movements graceful yet powerful. "A strike should flow like water," she explained. "Effortless, yet decisive."
They practiced strikes from various angles, their bodies learning to move as one with the sword. Every stiff movement was met with Minori's sharp correction: "Your center is the key."
---
*Day 7: The Stamina of the Warrior*
Minori led them through a series of grueling exercises designed to build stamina. "A warrior's strength is not just in their muscles, but in their will to endure," she stated.
They ran laps, performed push-ups, and practiced footwork drills until their bodies screamed for rest. But Minori's voice pushed them forward: "Your center is the key."
---
*Day 8: The Precision of the Cut*
Minori set up targets for them to strike. "Precision is the mark of a true swordsman," she said.
They practiced cutting through the targets with accuracy, their focus unwavering. Every missed strike was met with Minori's stern reminder: "Your center is the key."
---
*Day 9: The Rhythm of Combat*
Minori paired them together once more, this time for sparring sessions. "Combat is a dance," she explained. "Learn the rhythm, and you learn to lead."
They sparred, their movements becoming more fluid and instinctual. Every misstep was met with Minori's unwavering command: "Your center is the key."
---
*Day 10: The Heart of the Warrior*
Minori stood before them, her gaze unwavering. "You have trained your bodies," she said. "Now, train your hearts."
She led them through meditation, teaching them to center their minds and focus their intentions. "Your center is the key," she reminded them.
As they sat in silence, their minds clear and their spirits calm, they realized the truth of her words. The center was not just a physical point—it was the heart, the soul, the very essence of their being.
---
*The Final Lesson*
On the eleventh day, Minori stood before them, her expression unreadable. "You have mastered the basics," she said. "But remember, the journey of a warrior is never truly complete."
She handed them each a sword, its blade gleaming in the morning light. "To check your progress in swordsmanship, you two are gonna spar."she said leaving both of them shocked
" Huh!!!!"
With tgat, she turned and walked a distance away, leaving Shinji and Denki standing together .
The training ground was quiet, save for the rustle of leaves and the occasional chirp of birds. The morning sun filtered through the trees, casting golden shafts of light across the packed earth where two young warriors now stood, swords in hand, hearts steady.
Shinji tightened his grip on the hilt of his sword. Across from him, Denki rolled his shoulders, lightning energy subtly pulsing through his fingertips. Both of them were dressed in light training gear, their wooden swords now replaced with lightweight alloy practice blades—sharpened enough to sting, but dulled to prevent real harm. This was no longer just training. This was a true test of what they had learned under Minori's strict watch.
They bowed to each other in silence, eyes locked. Then—without a signal—their feet moved.
Denki struck first, closing the distance with a quick dash. His blade whistled through the air, aimed at Shinji's shoulder. But Shinji had already anticipated it. His feet slid back in a controlled retreat as his blade rose to parry. *Clang!*
The force of Denki's strike vibrated down Shinji's arms, but he held his ground. Using the moment of contact, he twisted, sidestepped, and swept low with a strike toward Denki's midsection.
Denki bent backward, almost acrobatically, his hand briefly touching the ground as he flipped backward to avoid the blow. Sparks danced from his hands as he used a small jolt of Thunder to spring upright again.
"You're getting flashy," Shinji said, a small grin breaking through his concentration.
Denki smirked. "You're just mad you missed."
They circled each other again, blades at the ready.
This time, Shinji advanced first, leading with a feint to the right before pivoting left and swinging in a clean arc aimed for Denki's side. Denki blocked, but Shinji's form was tight—cleaner than ever. He followed up with a series of rapid, short strikes, each one testing Denki's defenses.
*Clack. Clack. Clang!*
Denki grunted, forced onto the defensive, backpedaling as Shinji's Inferno Slash energy subtly pulsed through his blade. Even though the real flames were held back, the intensity was palpable.
Then Denki's eyes narrowed. He ducked under a wide swing, and in one fluid motion, unleashed his signature counter: a reverse strike enhanced with a sharp crackle of electricity.
The strike connected—lightly—against Shinji's ribs.
"Point to me," Denki said, backing off.
Shinji stepped back and rubbed his side, laughing. "Yeah, yeah. That one was clean."
They reset. Shinji wiped a bead of sweat from his brow, exhaling slowly as he returned to position. "One more round?"
Denki nodded, tapping the flat of his blade against his palm. "One more. Let's make it count."
This time, they charged together.
Blades clashed mid-air. Each strike was faster, tighter, more refined. Minori's teachings echoed in their movements: "Your center is the key." Shinji kept his core grounded, turning his hips smoothly with every motion. Denki matched him, lightning-fast reflexes making every dodge and counter seamless.
The dance of sword and will continued, neither backing down, both pushing each other to the edge of their skill. Dust rose from the ground, swirling around them as though caught in the energy they released.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity of focused combat, both landed a strike at the exact same moment—Shinji's blade at Denki's chest, and Denki's blade at Shinji's shoulder.
They froze. Then dropped their blades to the side.
"Draw," Denki said.
"Draw," Shinji agreed.
Both were breathing hard, sweat clinging to their brows, but they smiled towards each other but suddenly they felt a dangerous aura from their back a they looked back and saw Minori at their back,her face looking calm but obvious anger emanating from her.
"Do you think fights are as easy as that ,that the enemy will just hear you say" draw" and agree.You kids are so naive.Run 8 laps around the training grounds."
" Yes,Minori-san"they both said as they ran lasily around the training grounds .
By the time they were done,it was already afternoon as they dropped on the ground.
Not long after ,Minori went to where they were lying down and she said
"Good job you two,you can go eat now, we'll continue tomorrow at the same time"
"Hai" they both answered as they walked to the house,freshened up and ate a meal of curry and rice.
"Hey,Shinji " Denki said as he finished eating
" What"
" Let's go explore the town again ,we haven't had a chance for a while "Denki said
" Alright "Shinji said as he immediately finished his food and both of them went down the mountain.
As usual,the streets were bustling with activity,they ran so fast through the streets that Shinji bumped into a teenager.
"Sorry,mister" Shinji said as he looked up at him.
The teen knelt down to Shinji's eye level as he said
" It's been a while, hasn't it Shinji.Take care of yourself "he said as he ruffled Shinji's hair and walked away
" Who was that "Denki asked
" I don't know but I feel like I've met him before."Shinji said as Denki held his hand and dragged him through the streets
" No time for that"Denki said while running
" Where are we going anyway "Shinji asked while Denki replied saying
" We're going to meet my old Man "
Before long,they arrived in the tall building of the Kaminari Socho's office with two guards in front of it.
"Guard-san,I want to see my dad" Denki said
"Sorry ,Denki-sama but he's busy" one of the guards said
"Hmmp,this always happens,I'm going in anyway" Denki said as he pushed the door open.
"No,Den..." The guard was about to stop him when the other one stopped him.
"It's no use"
"Let's go Shinji" Denki said as both he and Shinji ran into the building, before long,they reached the Socho's office door .
"Otou-san" Denki shouted as he barged in
,Tora was about to collect a file from the shadowblade in front of him when he stopped and sighed
"Here we go again"