Chapter 014
"Huh? What do you mean you want me to help you practice?" A series of inappropriate images suddenly popped into Bang's mind, and the old master quickly shook his head to push away the uncomfortable thoughts. What a strange request. Even though he was puzzled, his body instinctively shifted into a proper martial stance. After taking a measured sip of hot tea, he said, "If you want to learn martial arts, then according to the rules of the dōjō, you'll have to pay tuition first."
"Martial arts? Who told you I wanted to practice martial arts?" Joshiro Joestar answered calmly.
Seeing Bang's eyes narrow in warning, Joshiro immediately added, "I recently mastered a new superpower, so I took a day off from work and wanted to ask sensei to spar with me."
Bang exhaled slowly, his expression complicated. "From today on, I think I'll hate superpowers," he muttered under his breath. But what else could he do? He had accepted the request already. Glancing at Joshiro's confident face, a memory of the time he tested his strength flashed across his mind-the machine that had exploded from just a single punch. His tone grew cautious. "Let me say this first: I won't spar with you if it involves that electrical discharge ability."
"Ah, that?" Joshiro lifted his hand and let a sphere of lightning form in his palm for a brief moment before dispersing it. "Don't worry, this time it's a new ability." His lips curved with restrained confidence.
Bang's eyes twitched. He gave a quiet sigh, realizing that the possibility of this boy becoming his disciple was distant. With abilities like that, what need did he have for traditional martial arts?
…
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Muffled impacts echoed from the back mountain, shaking the floors of the dōjō. The disciples training inside felt their legs weaken at the vibrations beneath their feet. Could humans truly create such sounds just from practicing? The difference between them and true masters felt immeasurable.
Among the crowd, Garou snorted quietly to himself. One day… he thought bitterly.
Beyond the dōjō, without the mountain peak as a shield, the muffled clashes revealed themselves as thunderous explosions. Two figures moved at impossible speeds, weaving between ground and sky, colliding in bursts of raw force. The noise that shook the dōjō came from their relentless exchanges.
Joshiro was sent flying backward through the air, but stabilized himself mid-flight. His bare torso was drenched in sweat, and the shimmering field of his Absolute Territory flickered before shattering apart like glass struck with a hammer. A bead of cold sweat rolled down his cheek. "Oi, oi, oi… that kind of punch could be lethal if it lands on someone," he muttered aloud. "Are you serious, old man?"
Bang was already stretching his neck on the ground. He tossed his upper garment aside, revealing his hardened frame honed by decades of training. "You brat," he barked, "your damn force-field superpower hurts even when I try to strike you. Don't talk to me about going easy!"
Joshiro's lips twisted slightly. "Didn't you tell me to give it my all? We agreed to train, not fight to the death."
Bang's mouth curved into a sharper smile as his stance shifted, his presence intensifying. "If there's no real risk, it's not true practice. Take this-Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist: Finger Thrust!" In the blink of an eye, he closed thirty meters and struck forward with blinding precision.
Joshiro reacted instinctively. "Tch-!" The Absolute Territory expanded in front of him, the spiritual barrier trembling with strain as the strike slammed into it. Before he could breathe, Bang's flowing offense surged like water against stone. Each strike pressed in like a tide, and hidden among them were crushing blows that cracked the earth beneath their feet.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The barrier wavered with each impact, nearly driven to collapse. Forced on the defensive, Joshiro braced himself as the relentless barrage pushed him to his limits. Each strike that found its mark left his body trembling, but with every impact, his control over the defensive field sharpened. The clash was grueling, but under the old master's calculated pressure, he was learning to sustain his ability for longer durations.
…
Later, Bang sat with a cup of steaming tea in hand, steam curling into the air. He let out a satisfied breath, his body relaxed as though emerging from a bath. "Even at my age, it feels good to use myself at full strength," he said plainly, though a trace of contentment showed on his face.
Joshiro let out a low groaned laugh, rubbing sore shoulders. "Old man, you really aren't serious about holding back, are you?" he muttered. Despite himself, he couldn't deny that the session had forced growth in his technique and awareness.
His gaze dropped to the faint glow in his hand as a new card materialized before him.
[Fantasy Card: Instant Skill]
[Card type: Ability Card]
[Rarity: SR]
[Introduction: Steps and Essentials of Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist]
[Effect 1: Instant Step]
[Description: A stepping technique that allows movement as fluid and swift as flowing water.]
Joshiro studied it with a calm expression, absorbing its knowledge directly into his mind. The familiar arc of energy hummed faintly in his body. Bang's eyes narrowed as he sensed it, his heart skipping a beat. That aura again… did this boy really just manage to grasp something without being formally taught?
You haven't even become my disciple yet…
…
By the end of the day, Joshiro's energy was drained but his mind was sharp with new understanding. Though Bang had initially resisted, his guidance had been undeniable once the sparring began. His unconventional style, tempered by experience, exposed Joshiro's weaknesses with precision. For the first time, Joshiro saw the limitations of his reliance on spider sense alone; against someone of Bang's caliber, instinct alone could not separate genuine strikes from deceptive feints.
The scars of the session weren't on his body so much as in his understanding. His Absolute Territory had held, keeping him safe despite the painful exchanges, and while his body ached and his face was pale from exhaustion, he was otherwise unharmed. It was a reminder that progress required being forced beyond one's comfort. He was already thinking through how to strengthen his combat system from here.
Bang placed his cup aside, voice steady. "Do you want to stay for a meal? I've a disciple whose cooking is decent enough."
Joshiro shook his head, rubbing his brow lightly. "No, I should get going today," he replied firmly. "But thank you."
Bang leaned back and gave a nod that carried less resistance than usual. "Come back next time. We'll continue."
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