6:30 AM – Training Ground
The sun had fully risen, painting the sky in shades of gold and crimson. Renji stood across from Sunil Rajput, still feeling the effects of the intense stretching and meditation. His muscles ached, but his mind was sharper than ever.
Sunil yawned and stretched lazily. "Alright, self-proclaimed World Number One—lesson two."
Renji rolled his shoulders, standing tall. "Finally. Enough of that yoga crap?"
Sunil smirked. "Oh no, that stays. Every morning. Forever."
Renji twitched. "What?"
Sunil gave him a teasing smile. "You wanna reach my level? Then you gotta make yoga and meditation a habit. Every day. No excuses."
Renji gritted his teeth. "Tch."
Sunil chuckled. "Oh? Not backing out, are we? Maybe you should aim for World Number Two instead."
Renji's eyes burned with determination. "Not a chance."
Sunil clapped his hands together. **"Good. Now, let's begin your real training—Celestial Dominion."
The Art of Celestial Dominion
Sunil took a deep breath and exhaled slowly.
"Celestial Dominion isn't about running faster or dodging opponents. It's about absolute control."
Renji nodded, listening intently.
Sunil continued. "Most players rely on speed or tricks to get past defenders. But my key? I make the field itself bow to me."
Renji narrowed his eyes. "What does that mean?"
Sunil smirked. "It means I control space, rhythm, and flow. Every movement I make dictates how my opponent reacts. I don't need to outrun them—I make them move exactly how I want."
Renji's mind raced. A key that doesn't rely on speed or deception, but on control itself?
Sunil took a step forward. "Let me show you."
Lesson One – The Flow of Control
Sunil placed a ball between them.
"Try to take it from me."
Renji didn't hesitate—he lunged forward.
Sunil barely moved.
With a single shift of his body, he redirected Renji's momentum—Renji felt like he was being pushed off course by an invisible force.
Before he knew it, he was off balance.
Sunil still had the ball.
Renji's eyes widened. "What the—"
Sunil grinned. "Again."
Renji gritted his teeth and tried again. This time, he approached slower, watching Sunil's movements carefully.
The moment he got close, Sunil shifted again—Renji felt his balance slip before he even realized what was happening.
He stumbled.
Sunil sighed, shaking his head. "You see? Right now, you're just reacting. But Celestial Dominion isn't about reacting—it's about dictating."
Renji clenched his fists. "Then teach me how."
Sunil smirked. "Alright, future rival—let's start small."
Lesson Two – The Dance of Control
Sunil pointed at Renji's feet. "Your footwork is good, but it's too rigid. You focus too much on speed and power. Celestial Dominion requires fluidity."
Renji raised an eyebrow. "Fluidity?"
Sunil nodded. "Watch my feet."
He began moving in slow, deliberate steps.
Renji watched closely—it was hypnotic.
Each step had a rhythm, a flow.
Then, in an instant, Sunil's movement became unpredictable.
He wasn't sprinting or faking directions—he was simply moving in a way that made it impossible to predict where he'd go next.
Renji felt his instincts struggling to keep up.
Sunil stopped and smirked. "See? I don't need to be fast—I just make it impossible for you to keep up with my rhythm."
Renji's eyes burned with determination. "Teach me."
Sunil chuckled. "Alright, but be warned—this isn't something you learn overnight, World Number One."
Renji smirked. "Then I'll learn it as fast as possible."
Sunil laughed. "That's the spirit. Let's begin."
And so, Renji's journey into Celestial Dominion truly started.
To Be Continued…