At noon, the sun hung high in the sky. Yuki Seisui opened his eyes to the sound of the pandas shouting around him.
"Who's bold enough to challenge that old Panda Sage?"
Still a little groggy from sleep, Seisui had heard the commotion that woke him.
"Challenging that old coot? Aren't they just bored and looking to get themselves hurt?"
He rolled over and got out of bed, but suddenly remembered the three panda boys from yesterday. He swallowed hard.
Those three aren't really going to attempt the Three Heroes vs. Panda Sages challenge, are they?
A mischievous grin spread across Seisui's face as he adjusted his glasses and followed the lead panda.
As the contracted summoner of the bamboo grove's panda clan, it was only natural to keep an eye on them.
By the time he arrived, dozens of pandas—ten to twenty meters tall—had already surrounded the area. Seisui didn't hesitate. Stepping onto the head of one giant panda, he pushed forward.
The Panda Sage had said he was now the vice-leader of the panda clan. A little head-stepping was nothing.
The panda beneath him barely noticed, only scratching its head at the tickle.
From his vantage atop the foremost panda, Seisui surveyed the battlefield. The Panda Sage stood at the center, facing away from the three panda boys, preparing in their own ritualistic way.
Seisui's sharp eyes caught a familiar panda across the field—Panda Ming.
Panda Ming had also noticed him, flexing his massive biceps.
Originally just a plump, ordinary panda, Panda Ming now had rippling muscles and a defined eight-pack.
Seisui inhaled sharply.
We haven't even been apart for that long…
Though there's a saying, "After three days apart, one should be regarded with new eyes," this was extreme.
In only a few days, Panda Ming had transformed from a fat panda into a muscular powerhouse.
Even steroids don't work this fast!
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While Seisui was still stunned by Panda Ming's transformation, the Panda Sage stood at the center, hands behind his back, still facing away from the three panda boys.
"Are you three ready?"
The eldest panda glanced at his two younger brothers, his expression hardening with determination.
"Second brother, third brother, we will win!"
"Yes! Big brother, second brother, we will win!"
"Exactly! Little brother, third brother, we will win!"
He embraced his two siblings, ignoring the misnaming, and spoke firmly:
"Our path as sages starts here. By defeating the boss!"
"YAH-HOO!!!"
The eldest panda's roar echoed skyward, still slightly childish.
The second and third pandas followed suit, their voices even more immature.
Meanwhile, the Panda Sage remained motionless, still facing away, silently cursing the little brats in his mind.
Damn kids… why don't they ask why I'm turning my back?
He had held this pose for a long time.
Finally, the eldest panda shouted with conviction:
"Boss! We're ready!"
"Good. Then strike!" The Panda Sage exhaled but did not turn his head.
The eldest panda glanced at his brothers, shrugged at the Sage's peculiar habit, and they launched forward in a three-pronged attack.
"Tsk tsk." Seisui observed the Panda Sage's calm demeanor, clicking his tongue in amusement.
The Sage was clearly waiting for one of the pandas to question why he faced away. Unfortunately, no one did.
Seisui's eyes softened with pity for the three pandas.
From personal experience, he knew the Panda Sage held grudges.
If they didn't follow his intentions, they were about to get a serious beating.
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Without hesitation, the eldest panda leapt before the Sage, white light glimmering faintly on his claws.
It was thin—but enough.
He swiped at the Panda Sage's back, while his younger brothers mirrored him, covering their claws with faint white spiritual energy.
Their energy was far weaker. If the eldest panda's light was thin, theirs was nearly invisible.
The Panda Sage still didn't turn around, but a layer of white light shimmered over him.
BANG! CLANG! Sparks flew as metal clashed against metal.
They didn't seem like flesh anymore. Under the spiritual light, they appeared as steel-crafted robots, striking sparks with every collision.
Seisui watched from above, arms crossed, intrigued.
Just as the pandas prepared to retreat, the Panda Sage turned with a wide smile.
"Time for the boss to show you some love!"
In an instant, the eldest panda was slammed to the ground, clutching his head, screaming in pain.
The Panda Sage's figure appeared fully, grabbing the eldest and pounding him mercilessly.
The second and third pandas charged, trying to intervene.
But the Panda Sage wasn't stopping, snarling:
"Daring to challenge me, huh? Let's see how that works out!"
"Barely grown, and you challenge me?"
"Bringing two little siblings too? Bold!"
"You've got some nerve, kid!"
He continued striking the eldest panda, who wailed in pain across the arena, while surrounding pandas remained motionless.
Seisui even sat cross-legged, watching with great interest.
Though the strikes looked brutal, they were measured. Heavy enough to hurt, make them scream, but never cause real injury.
After a while, the Panda Sage tired of the beating, stepping off the eldest panda. He patted his hands and glanced at Seisui, then at the crying eldest panda.
No doubt this mischief is the doing of that naturally wicked little Seisui.
The Panda Sage didn't punish him but snorted coldly:
"Who dares to claim undefeated? Who calls themselves invincible? Not even Uchiha Madara appears!"
…..
Completed version available on Available on [P]atreon.[c]om/Veltoria [remove brackets]