The morning sun spilled across the polished wood of Bang's dojo, bathing it in pale gold. Students stretched in silence, their breaths sharp and controlled, the room alive with tension. Today was different. Today was sparring day.
Kaizen tightened the cloth wrapping around his wrists. His knuckles were swollen from days of endless drills, but his eyes carried a fire that wouldn't dim. He had been in this world for weeks now, long enough to feel the rhythm of training, yet still new enough to know he was standing at the foot of a mountain.
Bang stepped forward, arms crossed behind his back. His voice cut across the dojo like steel."Today, you will test the lessons you've learned. Sparring is not for ego it is for understanding your weakness. Forget victory. Seek growth."
The students bowed in unison.
Kaizen's pulse quickened. This is it. The first real test. No more stances in the air. Now it's about whether I can make them mean something.
The first matches began. Pairs of students clashed, their fists snapping forward, bodies twisting and flowing like rivers colliding. Some moved with elegance, others with brute force. The dojo filled with the rhythm of combat thuds of impact, the shuffle of feet, sharp exhalations of effort.
Kaizen watched intently, memorizing patterns. He could see it the difference between those who flowed naturally with Bang's teachings and those who forced it. Every pivot, every step mattered.
Finally, Bang's gaze shifted toward him. "Kaizen. Step forward."
Whispers rippled through the crowd.
"It's his first spar.""He'll fold instantly.""Let's see if the stray has any teeth."
Kaizen breathed slowly, calming his heartbeat. No fear. Just focus.
His opponent stepped out a broad-shouldered senior named Renji. He had been at the dojo for three years, and his confidence was evident in the way he rolled his shoulders, eyes sharp with the promise of dominance.
"Don't take it personal," Renji muttered. "I'll go easy enough not to break you."
Kaizen met his gaze evenly. "Don't hold back. If I'm weak, then I need to know it."
Renji grinned. "Your funeral."
Bang gave a single nod. "Begin."
Renji shot forward like a coiled spring, fist arcing toward Kaizen's face. The sheer speed shocked him, but instinct saved him he shifted his stance, redirecting the strike past his shoulder.
The impact still rattled him. His arms stung, bones screaming under the force.
He's strong. Way stronger than anyone I've faced before.
Renji didn't stop. A low kick swept toward Kaizen's legs. This time he reacted late, stumbling as pain shot through his calf. He nearly fell but forced himself upright, teeth clenched.
The onlookers chuckled. "Told you. He's nothing."
But Kaizen didn't retreat. He steadied his breathing, recalling Bang's words. Flow. Don't resist force head-on. Redirect.
Renji lunged again, fist like a hammer. Kaizen sidestepped, guiding the blow away with his forearm, and for the first time, he countered a straight punch toward Renji's ribs.
The impact landed. Not enough to topple Renji, but enough to draw surprise.
"Not bad," Renji said, grinning. "But you're still slow."
He came faster this time, his fists a storm. Kaizen blocked, deflected, but his body couldn't keep up. A hook slammed into his ribs, knocking the air from his lungs. He staggered, coughing.
"End it, Renji!" someone called.
Renji raised his fist high only for Kaizen to surge forward, slipping under the strike, his own elbow snapping upward into Renji's chest. The collision echoed through the hall.
Renji stumbled back, eyes wide.
Silence.
Kaizen's chest heaved, sweat dripping from his brow. He hadn't won. Not even close. But he hadn't folded either.
Bang's sharp voice broke the silence. "Enough."
The students froze.
Bang's eyes narrowed at Kaizen. "…You're rough. Reckless. But you're learning. Good."
Renji exhaled, shaking his arms out. He gave Kaizen a smirk, not unkind. "You've got guts. I'll give you that."
The whispers changed.
"He actually landed a hit.""Didn't expect that.""Maybe he's not useless after all."
But among the voices, one stood apart sharp, amused.
Garou leaned against the far wall, arms crossed, his grin predatory.
"Not bad, newbie," he said, his tone dripping with challenge. "But let's not get excited. Renji wasn't even serious. You think you can survive against me?"
The dojo stilled. All eyes turned to Garou.
Kaizen straightened, still catching his breath. His ribs ached, his legs trembled, but his spirit didn't falter. "If Master allows it… I'll face you too."
Bang's gaze hardened. "No. Not yet. Garou, stand down."
Garou clicked his tongue, pushing off the wall. He walked past Kaizen, his eyes burning like a wolf sizing up prey. "Fine. Another time. But don't get comfortable. You're mine sooner or later."
Kaizen didn't reply. He didn't need to.
Inside, though, his blood roared. Garou… The one who will one day shake this world. If I can't face him, then I'll never be ready.
That night, long after the dojo was empty, Kaizen remained. His body was battered, but his fists still moved, tracing the flows Bang had drilled into him. Every strike was heavier with intent, every motion honed by the memory of Renji's blows.
He whispered to himself between breaths. "Stronger. I have to get stronger. No shortcuts. No excuses."
The door creaked.
Bang stepped in, watching silently for a while before speaking. "You fought well today. But you relied too much on instinct. Instinct without structure is chaos."
Kaizen bowed his head. "I'll fix it."
Bang walked closer, his shadow long across the floor. "Good. Because Garou won't wait for you to be ready. He's hungry, more than any student I've ever had. You'll need more than resolve when that day comes."
Kaizen clenched his fists. "Then teach me. Push me until I break. I'll endure."
Bang studied him for a moment, then nodded once. "…We'll see."
On the dojo roof, Garou sat under the stars, listening to the faint thuds of Kaizen's training below. He smirked, eyes glinting.
He's different. Not like the others. Not afraid to bleed. Good.
He leaned back, hands behind his head.
That means when I crush him… it'll actually be fun.