"Hm? What do you mean by asking me to help with your training?" Strange images floated through his mind, and Bang quickly shook his head to
"Hm? What do you mean by asking me to help with your training?"
Strange images floated through his mind, and Bang quickly shook his head to dismiss the inappropriate thoughts.
"What kind of weird proposition is this!"
Though confused, the old man's body naturally assumed the posture of a master, leisurely sipping his hot tea before speaking. "If you want to learn martial arts, according to the dojo's rules, you'll need to pay tuition first."
"Martial arts? Who said anything about learning martial arts?"
Bang: "..."
Seeing the old man about to glare, Johnson quickly said, "I recently mastered a new superpower, so I specifically took a day off to ask master to help me with some special training."
Bang sighed after hearing this.
From today on, this old man hates superpowers. But what can I do? I've already accepted his gift!
Looking up and down at the sunny-faced Johnson, he recalled how this guy had blown up the testing machine with one punch, and hurriedly set some ground rules, "Let me be clear, I won't train with that electricity-shooting superpower of yours!"
"Oh, this?" Johnson opened his palm, unleashing a ball of lightning before casually extinguishing it, "Don't worry, this time it's a brand new power!"
Bang: "..."
What's this brat trying to do? Show off his strength?
The old man secretly sighed, feeling the possibility of taking on a disciple becoming even more remote.
Well, with so many weird superpowers, it would be strange if this clever kid actually had any interest in martial arts!
✱✱✱✱✱✱✱✱✱✱
Bang!
Bang!
Bang!
Shocking muffled sounds echoed from behind the mountain, making the dojo's ground tremble.
Feeling the intermittent tremors beneath their feet, the disciples at the dojo stood stunned.
Can human training really produce such terrifying sounds? Master's level is truly beyond what we mortals can comprehend!
Among the crowd, Garou let out a light snort. That detestable guy, someday...
And as everyone stood shocked, behind the dojo's mountain—
BANG—
Without the mountain peak blocking it, the muffled strikes transformed into terrifying explosions!
Two lightning-fast figures chased each other through ground and sky, occasionally intersecting and clashing. The tremendous sounds heard at the dojo came from their exchanges.
Johnson's body flew backward but stabilized in the air, his bare upper body covered in sweat, the AT Field in front of him shattering like an illusion.
Even he couldn't help but break into a cold sweat, "Hey hey hey, punches of this level could kill someone! Old man, you're going all out!"
"When you need something it's 'master,' otherwise it's 'old man,' huh!" On the ground, Bang worked his neck, throwing aside his upper clothing to reveal an inhuman, powerful physique, complaining, "Your weird force field superpower hurts when it hits too, you brat!"
Johnson's mouth twitched, "Weren't you the one who told me to use more force? We agreed this was training, not a death match!"
"Heh..." Bang smiled wickedly, as if some seal within him had partially broken, "If it's not treated like a death match, how can it be called training? Take this!"
✱ Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist ↠ Piercing Fang! ✱
The old man crossed thirty meters in an instant, launching a mid-air strike with his fingers radiating lethal intent!
"Holy crap!"
Time seemed to slow as the AT Field expanded to meet the attack. The soul-matter barrier fluctuated violently, straining at its limits.
Before Johnson could catch his breath, Bang unleashed an endless cascade of attacks — flowing like water, relentless as the tide, with devastating strikes hidden among them.
Bang Bang Bang!
Under the quicksilver barrage, the barrier teetered on the edge of collapse. Johnson could barely maintain it as the old man's cunning moves sent him reeling between heaven and earth.
Yet suffering brought growth.
With each beating, his mastery of the AT Field grew stronger. His improving control let him withstand the old master's full-power attacks longer and longer.
✱✱✱✱✱✱✱✱✱✱
Holding a cup of hot tea, Bang smiled contentedly, "When you're old, you really should exercise vigorously sometimes."
Steam rose from his mouth in a straight line, his whole demeanor like someone fresh from a bath, his expression radiating pure satisfaction.
"Hehe..." Johnson, who'd volunteered to be a punching bag for the day, let out the sound of someone thoroughly wronged.
This damn old man had gotten too excited and hadn't held back at all.
Still, there were gains.
╔══════════════════════╗
FANTASY CARD: Instant Movement
CARD TYPE: Ability Card
RARITY: SR
┌─ SYSTEM DESCRIPTION ─┐
The footwork principles of the Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist.
┌─ PRIMARY FUNCTION — FLASH STEP ─┐
Use special footwork to move as smoothly and swiftly as a water stream.
╚══════════════════════╝
{T/N: I checked Bang's Wiki and changed the SR Card 'Flowing Water Breathing Technique' to 'Water Stream Awakening Breath', as it makes more sense. Same goes for that movement technique there, which is part of his repertoire.}
Johnson discreetly studied the purple card in his hand.
Another one in the bag, thank you very much!
'Hm?' Bang's smile suddenly froze as he sensed that familiar sensation from Johnson again, his heart skipping a beat.
Don't tell me this brat stole another technique? He hasn't even become my disciple yet!
After spending a day at the Water Stream Dojo, Johnson felt he had learned a great deal.
Though Bang had been hesitant to train with him, once they began practicing, he transformed into a true teaching master.
Being self-taught, Johnson found it challenging to correct his ingrained battle habits, but he managed to draw parallels and uncover many overlooked weaknesses.
Take the Spider-Sense, for instance. He had always relied on its passive warnings in battle, never considering how to develop it further.
Against an opponent of Bang's caliber, even the Spider-Sense that served him well against Demon-level Monsters proved inadequate.
Despite having comparable strength and speed, the gap in experience and technique was immense. Even when he could predict an attack's trajectory, he couldn't distinguish between feints and real strikes, much less anticipate the following combinations.
The inevitable result: a thorough thrashing.
Thankfully, his AT Field's defense held strong, and though the old man struck with fierce power, he wasn't actually trying to harm an officer.
After the day's training, aside from severe mental fatigue and a slightly pale complexion, he emerged without serious injury. The beating was worth it — what mattered most was identifying the gaps and shortcomings in his ability system.
After all, only this way could he...
No good — the more he thought about it, the more irritated he became!
Ability development couldn't be rushed. Now that he had a clear direction, he'd definitely get payback for today's thrashing!
"Why not stay for dinner? One of my disciples is quite a good cook."
Bang was quite satisfied today. Though initially annoyed about having his techniques stolen, he now wanted to keep Johnson around for three days and nights.
With his level of power, it wasn't easy finding a punching bag tough enough to take his hits. Looking at it that way, signing up for hero recruitment had definitely been the right choice.
"No thanks, I can't eat anything. I'm leaving!"
The old geezer smiled and tried to make him stay, but Johnson rubbed his temples with weary eyes, firmly refusing three times.
"Come back again sometime~"
"Next time for sure!"