Chapter: 49
The air trembled as Hiroto's golden aura erupted , so bright that Renji had to shield his eyes for a moment.
"This is me, Renji!" Hiroto shouted, his grin wild. "This is what it means to go all out!"
Then he vanished.
Renji barely had time to react before Hiroto appeared right in front of him, faster than before — impossibly fast.
WHAM!
The punch landed like a cannonball against Renji's guard, sending him flying backward, smashing into the wall with a deafening crack. Dust rained down around him as Renji slid to the ground, coughing.
"Renji!" Choji yelled, but Takeda held up a hand calmly.
"Watch," Takeda said quietly. "He's not done yet."
Renji stood, his breathing ragged, his arms numb. His body ached everywhere but when he looked at Hiroto, he grinned through the blood on his lip.
"I'm not done!" Renji shouted.
"Ohhh?!" Hiroto's golden eyes gleamed with excitement. "Then come at me again!"
Renji pushed off the ground, charging with everything he had left. Their fists clashed, then their legs, each strike leaving shockwaves that shattered the floor beneath them.
But Hiroto was faster now. Stronger. Every exchange pushed Renji closer to his limit. His punches were being deflected effortlessly, his kicks dodged, his counters punished.
Hiroto blurred to Renji's side and kicked him in the ribs — Renji felt the air leave his lungs as he tumbled across the ground.
"Too slow, Renji!" Hiroto roared, appearing above him in an instant and slamming down with another punch. Renji barely rolled out of the way before the ground exploded under the impact.
Choji's eyes widened. "He's going to kill him!"
Takeda shook his head calmly. "No. Hiroto knows exactly how far to push him. He's not trying to kill him he's testing him."
Renji staggered to his feet again, his body screaming at him to stop. Sweat poured down his face, his breathing shallow.
"Come on!" Hiroto shouted, his aura flaring even hotter. "SHOW ME MORE!"
Renji clenched his fists. He wanted to stop. He should stop. But something deep inside — that same burning determination that got him through Takeda's training — refused to give up.
He charged one more time.
BAM!
Their fists collided again, but this time, Renji was the one sent flying across the room. He hit the floor hard, skidding until he finally stopped, too exhausted to move.
Hiroto stood there, chest heaving, then suddenly started laughing.
"HAHAHAHA! I haven't had this much fun in a long time!"
He wiped the sweat from his brow, looking down at Renji with a grin that was more admiration than mockery.
"And you… you're just a normal human?!"
Renji, lying on the floor, let out a breathless laugh. "Maybe…"
But then Hiroto froze, as if something clicked in his head. His grin slowly faded, replaced by wide-eyed realization.
"Wait a second…" He took a step closer, pointing at Renji. "About a year ago… the Bureau asked us SS-rankers to keep an eye on a certain human…"
Renji's eyes opened slightly.
"You…" Hiroto said, his voice rising. "YOU'RE THAT PERSON!"
Renji flinched — not out of fear, but almost amusement. His lips curved into a small, tired smile.
"Who are you really, Renji?" Hiroto asked, serious now.
But Renji didn't answer — he was too tired, his chest rising and falling heavily.
Then Hiroto's grin returned, bigger than ever.
"You really are something, Renji. No S-rank I've ever fought could keep up with me even when I'm holding back but you did!"
Hiroto turned to Takeda, tears of excitement in his eyes. "As expected from Takeda-sama! You've raised a monster!"
Takeda smirked faintly. "He's raising himself."
Choji rushed over, dropping to Renji's side. "Renji!! You're awesome! I swear I almost cried watching you fight!"
Renji turned his head weakly and gave Choji a thumbs-up.
"Eh…" Renji whispered with a grin.
Then he promptly collapsed face-first onto the floor.
"RENJI!" Choji panicked.
But Hiroto just burst into loud, uncontrollable laughter, holding his stomach. "BAHAHAHA! He passed out! What a guy!"
Even Takeda chuckled. "He'll be fine. He just pushed himself past his limits."
Choji was still worried, but Renji's face, even in unconsciousness, had the faintest smile as though he was proud of himself.
"Idiot," Choji muttered fondly
"Choji," Takeda's voice broke the silence after the clash.
Choji turned immediately, still kneeling by Renji's side.
"Take him inside. Let him rest properly," Takeda said softly.
Choji nodded quickly, lifting Renji carefully onto his back. Renji's head drooped against his shoulder, but there was still that faint smile on his face. Choji couldn't help but grin.
"You did good, Renji," Choji whispered as he carried him out of the training hall.
When the door closed, the room grew quiet — only Takeda and Hiroto remained.
Their eyes met.
For a moment, neither spoke. Then Hiroto finally broke the silence.
"Takeda-san…" Hiroto's tone was serious now, the playful grin gone. "Who really is that kid?"
Takeda's gaze sharpened slightly. "What do you mean?"
Hiroto took a step closer, wiping the sweat off his brow.
"No non-awakened should be able to fight like that," Hiroto said, voice low. "He has no mana. No aura. No awakened traits. Yet he's faster than most S-ranks and just traded blows with me."
Takeda stayed quiet, letting Hiroto talk.
"A year ago," Hiroto continued, "the Bureau asked us to watch a certain civilian... Renji. For twelve months we found nothing. He was just a normal non awakener he ate like one. Slept like one. Laughed like one."
Hiroto clenched his fists, his golden eyes glowing faintly.
"But now…" His voice grew rough. "He's not normal anymore. I could feel it — that strength, that speed. It's like his body was… built for combat. Who is he really, Takeda-san?"
Takeda opened his mouth, hiroto..
but Hiroto raised his hand quickly, cutting him off.
"You don't have to answer."
Takeda blinked.
"I trust you," Hiroto said suddenly, his expression softening. "You have your reasons for keeping this secret. Whatever you're hiding, you'll tell me when you're ready."
Takeda's lips curled into a faint smile. "You've grown, Hiroto."
"Maybe." Hiroto chuckled, but then tears began to pool in his eyes as he looked toward the training hall doors.
"But I want to fight him again." His voice cracked slightly — half from exhaustion, half from excitement.
Takeda's smile widened. "You will."
Hiroto's golden eyes brightened instantly. "Really?!"
"Yes. But next time…" Takeda turned his gaze toward the hall. "…he'll be even stronger."
Hiroto laughed loudly, wiping his tears with the back of his hand. "Good! Then I won't hold back next time!"
Just then, Hiroto's phone buzzed loudly in his pocket. He fished it out, answering quickly.
"Hiroto," Anya's calm voice came from the other end, though there was tension behind it. "A gate just opened in our district. It's classified as high-risk. We need to move."
Hiroto's grin returned. "I'll be there soon."
He hung up and turned to Takeda.
"A gate?" Takeda asked, his tone casual but his eyes sharp.
"Yeah," Hiroto said, stretching his shoulders. "High-risk one. I need to get going."
He walked toward the exit, then stopped halfway and turned back with a wide grin.
"Make him stronger, Takeda-san. Strong enough to fight me seriously next time."
Takeda chuckled softly. "He will be."
Satisfied, Hiroto gave him a playful salute before vanishing through the doorway, his golden aura flaring for just a second.
When the room was quiet again, Takeda stood there for a while, smiling to himself.
"That boy…" he murmured, almost proudly. "