Chapter 8: Practicing Martial Arts Without Cultivating the Foundation
"Women who are too smart have trouble getting married, Sis Madou."
Called out so bluntly, Mord didn't take offense. Instead, he grinned and openly admitted it.
"My personal life is none of your concern!"
A vein throbbed on Madou's forehead. It took her a moment to suppress her anger before she spoke again.
"Though everyone has their own unique Nen affinity, it's not limited to just one."
As she spoke, she traced a diamond-shaped Nen proficiency chart in the air.
"Aside from Specialization, which is unique, generally, everyone possesses the other five Nen affinities to varying degrees."
Madou extended a finger, using it as a brush.
"First, let's assume you can fully master Conjuration abilities. In that case, the probability of learning abilities from other categories would roughly look like this."
The Nen ability learning diagram drawn in midair with Nen began to change.
Conjuration 100%, Transmutation 80%, Enhancement 60%, Emission 40%, Manipulation 60%, Specialization 0%.
"No matter how good your learning ability is, you can never fully master abilities outside your own category. The further the ability is from your system, the lower the learning rate."
"Mmm." Mord nodded to show he was paying attention.
Madou glanced at Mord and continued.
"Take Enhancement as an example. When you encounter an Enhancement user and engage in a direct clash, assuming both parties have physical strength of 100. Since the enemy is an Enhancement user who can utilize 100% of their power, they can reinforce their fist with 100% Nen and strike you at full force."
"Combined, this creates an energy impact of 200."
"However, no matter how hard you try with Enhancement abilities, you can only reinforce your body by 60%. Even if you defend, you'll still take damage from the 40-point difference."
"That foreigner must have taught you this way, which is why you've focused on developing Nen abilities unique to your characteristics."
"This approach isn't wrong, but it won't make you truly strong."
Madou pointed at Mord and asked, "How did it feel when you punched me earlier?"
"...Like hitting an iron plate." Mord recalled honestly.
Madou nodded. "The reason my body is as hard as iron is entirely due to the aura emitted by my resolute spirit, combined with my naturally strong physique. A true master can achieve complete invulnerability this way."
"But that should be Enhancement ability, didn't you just say..."
"What I said earlier was true, but that doesn't mean Enhancement abilities are unimportant."
Madou interrupted Mord and continued, "Because Enhancement is what most effectively supplements offense, defense, and healing. In fact, almost every master in any category is highly skilled in Enhancement. You could say it's fundamental."
"Moreover, I was describing a scenario where both parties have equal aura quantity and physical strength. You can always improve your own aura quantity and physical strength to compensate."
"Right now, what you need more than developing abilities is to temper your body and spirit."
Now it made sense.
It was like martial arts novels - practicing techniques without cultivating inner strength leads to empty results.
In Bleach terms, spiritual pressure determines everything.
In One Piece terms, before overwhelming Haki, all Devil Fruit users are insignificant.
"If you understand, then prepare for my training. You'll need resolve!" Madou looked seriously at Mord, her suddenly rising aura completely different from her usual lazy drunkard innkeeper persona.
This was the powerful presence of a trained master.
"I'm always prepared." Mord replied calmly, a slight smile on his lips.
Only firmness can create such calm composure.
Madou could sense Mord's unwavering determination.
"That girl misjudged you."
Madou seemed to think of something and shook her head lightly.
"Then we'll start with physical conditioning."
She pulled out a set of clothes from somewhere and tossed them to Mord.
Mord instinctively reached out to catch them, only to stagger under the sudden weight, nearly bending over from the force.
"You'll wear this weighted suit at all times except when sleeping."
"We'll start with the 50-kilogram set. Once you're accustomed to it, we'll gradually increase the weight."
Mord: "..."
He had no idea what material this clothing was made of. Though it looked ordinary, it was astonishingly heavy.
Following instructions, Mord put on the specially weighted suit.
This wasn't simply about carrying 50 kilograms.
Mord found every movement becoming unnatural, having to readjust to even the simplest actions like raising his arms or taking steps.
Only through this could he tap into his latent potential and achieve true physical conditioning.
Under Madou's guidance, Mord began the most fundamental physical training.
...
Meanwhile.
The conflicts in Meteor Street were escalating.
"Go ahead and kill me! We'll never submit to you!"
"Thud"—another comrade fell with his throat slit.
A burly man with bloodshot eyes roared at the crowd before him. Though severely wounded, his spirit remained unbroken, his head held high.
"Paco, Rory is already dead. You shouldn't throw your life away—your abilities could serve a greater purpose."
The crowd bearing white inverted crosses parted as a tall man in a trench coat, his hair slicked back, stepped forward.
"Spit!"
"Kill me if you want, but I'd rather die than submit to a traitor like you."
The man named Paco spat blood at the trench-coated figure, his voice dripping with scorn.
"What a waste."
The trench-coated man murmured.
A breeze swept by, and Paco collapsed, crimson blood gushing from his neck to form a growing pool.
Standing before the bloodstain with his hand raised like a blade, the trench-coated man resembled a merciless reaper.
Shinjuku Tavern.
Due to the chaos in District D, business had been nearly nonexistent these days.
Today was no exception.
Only a handful of patrons sat scattered throughout the tavern.
"Noah's group is going too far now. I heard they killed Paco too. What exactly are they trying to achieve?"
"If they just wanted to take over Rory's business, they've already done that. Why exterminate all the old-timers like this?"
"Shh!"
"Quiet! Are you trying to get yourself killed? The streets are crawling with people wearing inverted crosses now. To them, Noah is a god. If they hear you badmouthing him, you're dead."
"I know, I know. I'd only dare say this in the boss lady's tavern."