Chapter 21: Practical training
After parting ways with Mitsuri Kanroji, Aoki returned to the dojo, only to be stopped by Keisuke Akiyama, one of his senior brothers.
"Junior Brother Aomura," Keisuke began, his tone insistent, "we have practical training tomorrow. You should join us!"
Aoki shook his head. "I don't think I will."
Sparring with regular people seemed pointless. It wouldn't be fair to them, and it wouldn't benefit him either.
Keisuke, thinking Aoki was concerned about the sunlight, quickly reassured him. "Don't worry, Junior Brother. The training will be held in a shaded room."
Aoki noticed the weariness and slight pleading in Keisuke's eyes. After a moment's thought, he nodded. "Alright, I'll join."
Keisuke's relief was palpable. "Thank you. I knew I could count on you."
Aoki appreciated Keisuke's support. Without him, Aoki might never have delved into martial arts or developed his own fighting system so quickly. Keisuke had always looked out for him, and a small request like this deserved to be honored, both out of gratitude and respect.
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### The Day of Training
The dojo was bustling the next day. Students gathered in small groups, chatting excitedly about the upcoming practical training.
Kengo Mizuno, the dojo master, entered the room with Keisuke Akiyama. His appearance had changed dramatically since Aoki last saw him; he looked much older, his hair now white and his face showing signs of recent struggles.
"Today, we'll focus on actual combat training," Mizuno announced without preamble.
Aoki turned to watch as Mizuno began to organize the students into pairs for their sparring matches.
"...Aomura and Shigeyoshi Fujita…"
Hearing his name, Aoki looked at the muscular young man standing at the front of the training room.
Shigeyoshi Fujita was known as a top student, rumored to be among the strongest in the dojo's advanced class.
Their eyes met, and Fujita grinned, his gaze filled with aggression and confidence.
"Your first time in combat training and you get paired with one of the best?" someone whispered nearby.
Aoki sighed, feeling indifferent.
Fujita, surrounded by his friends, seemed much more animated.
"Aomura? Isn't he the new guy? Has he even learned the basics?" one student asked.
"Fujita's going to have an easy win," another chimed in.
Crossing his arms, Fujita remarked coolly, "I'd rather fight someone skilled. There's no thrill in beating up a rookie."
"Don't underestimate him. The teacher wouldn't pair you without a reason. He's got a decent physique at least," one of his friends suggested.
"What reason? I just want to teach him a lesson. That hat he always wears is annoying," Fujita scoffed.
Their banter was interrupted by a plump young man with a sly grin. "Place your bets! How long will Fujita take to finish the rookie? Five minutes? Three? Or just one?"
The room buzzed with excitement.
"Three minutes, tops!" one student predicted.
"Are you kidding? He'll knock him out in a minute flat!" another countered.
Ignoring the commotion, Fujita slapped a bill into the plump young man's hand. "Thirty seconds," he declared confidently.
"Wow, betting on yourself," the plump young man said, pocketing the money with a grin.
Keisuke Akiyama approached Kengo Mizuno with concern. "Teacher, isn't it too harsh to pit Aomura against Fujita for his first sparring match? He lacks combat experience."
Mizuno remained resolute. "A warrior's true strength is revealed against strong opponents. If Aomura is as capable as you suggest, he can handle Fujita, regardless of his experience."
Realizing there was no changing Mizuno's decision, Keisuke could only hope that Aomura's performance would meet the dojo master's expectations and perhaps bring a spark of life back to his weary teacher.
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### The Match Begins
The training sessions moved swiftly, with each match decided in minutes.
"The next match: Aomura versus Shigeyoshi Fujita!" Keisuke called out.
Aoki stepped into the ring, removing his hat and revealing his striking features. A murmur of surprise spread through the room.
"Is that really Aoruma?"
"I thought he wore that hat because he was hiding something. Turns out, he's just incredibly handsome!"
Shigeyoshi Fujita's eyes narrowed with a flicker of jealousy. "Rookie, you better protect your pretty face. I like smashing faces."
Aoki smiled calmly. "Good luck with that."
Fujita felt a surge of anger at Aoki's nonchalant response.
"Begin!" Keisuke Akiyama's voice rang out.
Fujita lunged forward, his fist aiming straight for Aoki's face like a spear.
Aoki sidestepped effortlessly, closing the distance between them in an instant.
"Aoki-ryu, Storm!"
In a blur of motion, Aoki's entire body became a whirlwind of attacks—fists, elbows, knees, and feet moving with relentless precision and speed.
In less than three seconds, the storm ended, and Aoki stepped back.
Shigeyoshi Fujita crumpled to the ground, unconscious.
The dojo fell silent, the air thick with disbelief.
"Teacher, Brother Keisuke, I have some matters to attend to. Please excuse me," Aoki said, retrieving his hat and walking out of the training room.
It took a moment for everyone to process what had just occurred.
Keisuke Akiyama rushed to Fujita's side, checking his condition. With a sigh of relief, he announced, "He's still alive."
The ferocity of Aomura's attacks had been staggering, even terrifying to watch. Keisuke had been genuinely worried that Fujita might not survive the onslaught.
The training hall erupted with astonished whispers.
"What just happened? I blinked, and Fujita was down!"
"That was insane! Just watching it made me hold my breath!"
"What kind of technique was that? Was it Aoki style? I've never seen anything like it!"
"You idiot! That's not Aoki style!"
"No, you're the idiot! That was definitely Aoki style. You just can't recognize it because you're not good enough!"
Kengo Mizuno watched, stunned. The movements were unmistakably rooted in the Aoki style, but they carried a raw, untamed power that had never been taught in his dojo.
Fujita's friends were left speechless. The rookie they expected to crush had revealed himself as a formidable force, like a predator among prey.
The plump young man counted his winnings with a bewildered look. Fujita had lost the match and his bet, and now he wondered if Fujita would still want the money. Knowing the outcome, would he feel happy or regretful?
As the training room buzzed with excitement and disbelief, Aoki's display of power left an indelible impression on everyone who witnessed it.
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T/N: There is now a patreon for this work, and any new work I add will be dropped there first. check it out for an early release of up to 15 chapters.
Patreon link:- patreon.com/ANelite
And also give me some power stones!!