The training ground was bustling with activity as Class 3-E's students geared up for a grueling session under the watchful eyes of Ryu and Nagisa.
The air was warm with the late afternoon sun, but the energy was far from sluggish.
It was a rare day for physical training, one that would push the students further than their usual lessons, especially under the guidance of the two most capable instructors in their class.
Koro-sensei had given permission for Ryu and Nagisa to teach a group of students today.
Nagisa stood at the center of the group with his usual smile, though his eyes held a sharp focus as he surveyed his students. "Alright, everyone," he began, his voice calm but authoritative, "today is all about refining the basics—stances, footwork, and precision. These are the foundation for everything else."
Hinano Kurahashi, Sumire Hara, and Yuzuki Fuwa gathered around him, ready for whatever came next. They'd trained together many times before, but today felt different. There was something about Nagisa's quiet confidence that made the stakes feel higher, even though they were just working on the fundamentals.
"Remember, balance is the most important thing in a fight," Nagisa continued, adjusting his glasses. "It doesn't matter how strong you are or how fast you move; if you're not balanced, your attacks won't have any power. Your legs should feel like they're rooted to the ground."
Hinano, who had always been passionate about her training, immediately dropped into a low stance, her body tense with concentration. She was always eager to learn, but Nagisa could see the slight strain in her posture.
"Hinano, relax your shoulders," he suggested, walking over to adjust her form. "You're too stiff. Imagine you're grounded in the earth, not like a tree that can't move. You need to feel the energy of the ground moving through your feet."
Hinano let out a deep breath and adjusted her posture, lowering her center of gravity, but she still struggled to achieve the fluidity that Nagisa was encouraging.
Sumire, watching from the side, saw the struggle and stepped forward to help. "It's okay, Hinano," she said quietly, "I'll try to focus on my own balance too." Sumire's reserved nature made it hard for her to open up, but she couldn't help but feel a sense of camaraderie as she saw her fellow students working hard.
Nagisa smiled softly at their teamwork. "That's the spirit, Sumire. You two work together, and keep focusing on your balance."
Yuzuki Fuwa, who had been practicing quietly on her own, raised her hand. "Nagisa-sensei, how can I make my movements more fluid like you? I feel like I'm too stiff in my stances."
Nagisa nodded. "Good question, Yuzuki. It's all about being loose and adaptable. Like water. You need to let your body follow the flow of your opponent, rather than forcing it. Try to keep your body loose, but don't let yourself become too relaxed."
"Loose like water..." Yuzuki repeated, trying to adjust her form. Her body was still stiff at first, but slowly, she began to understand the difference. Nagisa could see the improvement already.
Meanwhile, Ryu was working with Toka Yada and Meg Kataoka, each showing a different set of strengths and weaknesses. Toka was brimming with energy, her every movement quick and unpredictable, while Meg was precise, but her execution lacked the fluidity and speed she needed to reach the next level. Ryu stood ready, watching the two girls intently.
"Toka, let's see how fast you can move," Ryu said, a smirk playing on his lips. "I'll go easy on you for now, but try to land a clean punch."
Toka immediately lunged at him, her movements fast and wild. She jabbed at his chest, but Ryu easily sidestepped, watching her every move with unblinking eyes.
"Good speed, but you telegraphed your move," Ryu said, dodging her attack. "You're too eager. Your opponent will see your punch coming a mile away if you don't disguise it."
Toka grinned, an eager glint in her eye. "I'll get it next time, just watch!" she said, bouncing on her feet.
Ryu gave a small nod. "That's the spirit. Keep pushing."
Meg, who had been watching from the side, stepped up next. "What should I work on, Ryu-sensei?"
Ryu observed her form carefully. Her strikes were sharp and precise, but her posture was stiff. "Your technique is solid," he said, "but you're not using your body's full range of motion. You're too rigid. Let your body move with the strike."
Meg raised an eyebrow. "So, less about muscle strength?"
"Exactly," Ryu replied. "More about technique and fluidity. You need to trust your body's natural movement instead of forcing everything with muscle."
Meg nodded thoughtfully, practicing the advice he gave her. Slowly, her movements became smoother, more efficient, though Ryu could tell she was still working on getting it right.
Toka, still energized from her earlier attempt, turned to Ryu. "Hey, I've got this. Watch me!"
She lunged at him again, but this time, she feinted before quickly following through with a swift punch. Ryu, a bit surprised at her improvement, blocked it just in time.
"Better, but you still need more control," Ryu said, tapping her fist aside. "Remember, it's not about how fast you can throw a punch; it's about how fast you can think about it."
Toka grinned, wiping sweat from her forehead. "I'm getting it! Thanks, Ryu-sensei!"
"I'll keep pushing you," Ryu said with a smile. "But you've got potential. Just don't get too cocky, okay?"
Mid-Session Break: A Moment of Reflection
As the training session wore on, everyone took a brief break. They gathered under a large oak tree, the shade providing a welcome respite from the heat. The students, though tired, were invigorated by the lessons they'd learned.
Nagisa approached the group, a water bottle in hand. He passed it to Yuzuki and smiled. "You're all doing great. Just keep refining the basics."
Hinano, who had been practicing non-stop, finally sat down, wiping her forehead. "Nagisa-sensei, I feel like I'm not getting it right."
Nagisa knelt beside her, offering a reassuring smile. "You're making progress, Hinano. The most important part is that you're learning. Don't expect to get everything perfect in one day. It's about consistency."
Toka, who had overheard, nudged Meg. "Nagisa-sensei's right. I used to think I could just throw punches all day, but I'm starting to realize I've got to think more about how I move."
Meg, who had always been a bit reserved, nodded. "I've been focusing too much on precision... but I think now I understand why flow matters too."
Ryu, who had been listening quietly, walked over to them, his arms folded. "You've all got the right mindset. Don't get too frustrated with the process. The key is persistence."
Suddenly, Sumire, who had been unusually quiet, looked up at Ryu. "Ryu-sensei, when you fight... you're always so... calm. How do you stay like that?"
Ryu's expression softened, and he leaned against the tree. "It's not about staying calm all the time. It's about knowing when to control your emotions. When you're in a fight, you can't let anger or fear take over. You need to focus on the situation, not your emotions."
Hinano raised an eyebrow. "So... it's about using your head, not just your fists?"
Ryu smiled. "Exactly. Your mind is your greatest weapon. Your body can only do so much without it."
Nagisa nodded in agreement. "That's why we focus on training the mind as much as the body. You can have the strongest muscles, but if you don't know how to use them, they won't be enough."
Toka grinned. "Sounds like a lesson for me. I get too caught up in the excitement sometimes."
"You're getting better," Ryu replied, ruffling her hair lightly. "Just don't forget to focus on control."
Wrap-Up: A Sense of Achievement
The training continued for another hour, with each student making noticeable progress. By the time the session ended, the sun was beginning to set, casting a golden light over the training field.
Nagisa and Ryu watched as their students gathered their belongings. Hinano, Sumire, and Yuzuki were clearly exhausted, but there was a sense of accomplishment in their posture. Toka and Meg were the same, though Toka had a wide grin plastered across her face.
"Great work today," Nagisa said, as he wiped his brow. "You've all improved a lot. Just remember to keep practicing."
Ryu gave a casual nod. "Yeah, don't rest too much. We'll be pushing you even harder next time."
Hinano stood tall, a determined gleam in her eye. "I'm going to keep working hard, Ryu-sensei, Nagisa-sensei. Thank you for everything today."
Ryu smirked. "Keep it up, Hinano. I'm looking forward to seeing how far you go."
As the students slowly made their way back to the dorms, Ryu and Nagisa shared a quiet moment, watching the students with pride.
"Not bad for a day's work," Ryu said, glancing at Nagisa.
Nagisa chuckled. "Yeah. It's nice to see them starting to get the hang of things. We're doing something good here, Ryu."
"Definitely," Ryu replied, his tone softening. "They'll be ready for whatever comes next."