After finally exploring the headquarters, it was time for Akira to pay a visit to the sparring grounds. The sparring grounds were like an arena with stones around it. It was placed outside the headquarters as well. The sparring fields were equipped with different sets of weapons. Wooden weapons, lethal weapons that were made out of real materials, and throwable weapons.
Yeru introduced Akira to some people. Many of them used katanas and wore an outfit called "Hakama". Which was the squad's main outfit. Yeru said it wasn't a dress code, but much comfortable clothing, so it wasn't necessary to wear one.
"Wait, do all of these warriors use katanas? Cause, I always see them using that." Akira was a bit confused that they all would wear and use the same thing.
"I guess they call yit the Thousand Blades for a reason."
Akira then was asked to go to the center to enter the test. This test was to fight 7 warriors, and this wasn't even the usual test. It was because Akira had proven his ability that was quite skilled. Akira took the test and went to his position.
As the match started, one warrior, who was a man, stood up, coated his katana with mana, and started attacking Akira. When the man swung his blade, Akira jumped above him. The man then launched his second attack. He released a mana slash at Akira, and Akira avoided it by moving his body away from the slash that was emitted by the man. When Akira was close to being chopped off, Akira then coated his fist with mana too and attacked him up-front. The man didn't flinch and dodged his attack. After dodging, he began lifting his blade, striking defenseless Akira. Before the blade landed on his back, Akira lowered his body and his left leg swept the man's balance, causing him to fall to his defeat.
The warriors who watched him commended his moves were quite impressive. Later, they soon fought together. Akira was quite excited about fighting them, as they were quite strong. It was different from any warriors he met back when he joined the Red Phoenix squad. Their moves were not to be taken one eye away, according to Akira.
They stand strong and ready to fight. The 7 warriors unsheathed their katanas and Akira summoned his scythe and coated it with his blood, preparing for battle. Before the fight started, they then were stopped by an unknown visitor.
"Commander Hakku?" They all said it in surprise and stopped the battle. Akira didn't notice or even sense the man was there; it was like he was one with the wind. To be quicker, Hakku canceled the match. He vowed to be Akira's opponent. Hakku wanted to have a meeting sooner, so he wanted to end this quickly.
Yeru approached Akira and whispered that he was the 6th commander who had been appointed 3 weeks ago. Hakku's moves were swift and light, and he told Akira to be careful. Akira gave a nod and faced forward.
Hakku Ayatame, the 6th commander. He had a long white-haired ponytail, and his eyes were gloomy, as if he was tired. He also wore a Hakama, but in white. He attached his katana to his waist. His aura seemed calm, like water. He was said to have had a title named "The White Lion".
"Listen up, young man. Fight well, don't focus on anything besides me! This is a scoring test, not a playground."
"Yes, sir!"
Hakku smiled and went on to attack. As explained by Yeru, he was quite swift. His movement was fast, as he appeared in front of Akira within seconds. Akira parried Hakku's slash that almost sliced him in half. Hakku's face was very calm and didn't put too much effort into it. Hakku gave Akira a handicap for the scoring test; if he managed to survive for one minute, he would pass. Originally, Akira had no plans to join in, but he accepted the challenge. Akira charged forward to attack. Akira swung his scythe with a tremendous amount of strength in his swing. However, when his attack landed, it went right past him. His body turned into a form of steam and gas.
[MIST MAGIC: HOLLOW DECEPTION]
The whole place turned into a mist. Akira found it very difficult to see, and his presence was now gone. His existence faded as he could not sense him. Then Hakku appeared behind Akira, drawing out his katana from his sheath. He then performed a vertical slash at Akira. Akira avoided it by jumping over to the left. Akira's weaknesses were exposed as Hakku saw through them. He began to pose menacingly, trying to perform his move. He gripped the handle of the katana and let out a visible breath.
[SHIROIRAION-OUGI: KIRI NO TSUME]
He moved like a wind, went past Akira, and slashed him with a fatal slash to his chest. His chest was heavily injured, and it left a giant wound on his chest. Akira knelt down and faced the ground as he coughed up blood.
"Heal him now! Forgive me, but this is what you will face in a harsh battle. I hope you will learn not to march on unprepared. " Hakku closed his eyes and sheathed his katana as the match was over. Hakku gave Akira points for surviving for 31 seconds.
"No, I'm not done yet!"
"Hmm?"
Hakku then noticed that Akira's giant wound was healed. It healed incredibly well as it didn't leave a mark on him. Akira laughed in suppression as he healed his wound and got back up. Hakku was overly impressed with his healing. It was considerably matched to advanced healing, as he healed himself automatically and fast. Hakku asked a question if he was a healer or some kind of zombie. Akira told him that it wasn't any of his roles. His role was just a physical type.
Hakku seemed to have misjudged Akira. Hakku then bowed and asked for forgiveness as he tried to slaughter Akira with a lethal strike. This was needed so he could learn not to mess with an opponent. Despite that, he did suppress his strike so he wouldn't let him die.
Hakku then shouted to all the warriors in the area to go to the dojo. He said that Kamui was assigning a mission to them all. They all nodded and left the place. Hakku told Akira that he had passed; he knew that Akira's ability had proven quite useful and asked him to join them on a mission.
Akira then asked what mission they would do. Hakku answered that he didn't know the details, but in 3 days, they would be off to an island southwest of here. Akira backed onto his feet and gladly joined them as he caught up with the warriors.
"Quite a yexcellent show back there!" Yeru approached Hakku.
"I saw the strength in him was remarkable, yet, it was unexpected to find such a rare warrior who could heal oneself without even touching or even surrounded with magic. With that being said, may I ask? What was his ability? Do you seek knowledge of it?"
"I yave no idea."
"I see. Very well. See you in the dojo!"
Hakku then disappeared and left for the dojo...