Lee crossed his arms, his usual smile transforming into a serious yet energetic expression. He looked at the marked trunk and then at Zack, assessing the young man with careful attention.
— You've trained with me for hours without saying a word. — Lee tilted his head, his voice warm but direct. — That's admirable, but tell me: what do you understand about training? What does it mean to strike with your body?
Zack lifted his gaze and held firm. His posture reflected conviction as he replied:
— Training is the bridge between who we are and who we can be. It's repetition, adjustment, and constant learning. Striking with the body means using all the potential, every muscle and movement, to make the impact as efficient as possible.
Lee's eyes widened, an animated sparkle lighting up his expression.
— Wonderful! What a determined answer! — He clapped his hands once and leaned slightly, as if wanting to absorb even more of what Zack had to say. — But tell me, Zack, can you apply this in practice?
Zack stepped forward and focused on the trunk. His feet planted firmly on the ground as he took a deep breath. He concentrated on the movements he had trained and launched a powerful punch, the impact resonating through the air.
Lee observed every detail of the movement, his eyes keen as if examining every small error and success.
— Nice punch! — he commented, but his voice soon took on a more serious tone, though still filled with enthusiasm. — But you're blocking the force at the end. The energy should flow like a river, without interruptions. You need to let it all out, Zack!
Zack frowned, reflecting on what Lee had said. He positioned himself again, but this time visualized the strike as something continuous, an unbreakable line of force flowing through his body. He inhaled deeply and launched another punch.
This time, he felt something different. The impact was more solid, and there was a clarity in his movements that hadn't existed before. The sharp sound of the punch was proof that something had changed. His muscles, previously tense at the moment of impact, now relaxed at just the right moment, allowing the force to flow completely.
Lee leaped in excitement, raising his fists in the air.
— That's it! That's what I wanted to see! — He pointed at the trunk, clearly impressed. — You felt the difference, didn't you?
Zack looked at the trunk and then at his own fists. He nodded, a faint smile forming on his face.
— Yes. It's like the strike has... come to life. Before, it felt like something was holding me back, but now I can feel the force flowing completely.
Lee crossed his arms again, his smile so wide it seemed to light up the surroundings.
— Exactly! What you just felt is the key to becoming stronger. It's not just the strength of your body, but the connection between body and spirit. When both work together, you can overcome any obstacle!
Zack fell silent for a moment, absorbing those words. He felt different, as if something had clicked into place.
— I will keep trying. Now I know I can improve, as long as I understand and feel what I am doing.
Lee raised his fist in the air, his energy bubbling.
— That's right! The power to overcome limits lies in constant effort and belief in oneself. Never forget: the strength of the body is important, but true strength comes from passion and perseverance!
Zack stared at the wooden trunk again. The frustration he had felt initially had transformed into renewed determination. He knew he still had a long way to go, but with Lee as an example, each training day would be another chance to surpass himself.
Zack panted, his chest rising and falling in a frantic rhythm while sweat dripped down his forehead, mingling with the salty taste on his lips. His fists throbbed with pain, but he clenched them tightly, ignoring the discomfort. He couldn't back down. Not now.
— Let's fight, Lee.
— Fight me? — Lee repeated, adjusting the green band on his arm while tilting his head, curious. His smile soon widened, and his eyes sparkled with enthusiasm. — That's admirable, Zack! But you know what that means, don't you?
Zack responded with a firm nod, his gaze fixed on the opponent before him.
— I know I'm going to lose. — His voice was tough, resolute. — But if I don't face challenges like you, I'll never grow.
Lee let out a brief laugh, but it was filled with respect. He flexed his fingers and assumed his fighting stance, his feet firmly planted on the ground.
— Gai-sensei always says, "The fighting spirit surpasses any challenge!" Let's test that now!
Lee lunged forward with a movement so fast that the air seemed to crackle. Zack tried to keep up but soon saw a fist coming from below. He instinctively dodged, feeling the blow graze his ribs. The force of the wind made him stumble, but he regained his balance and spun to deliver a straight punch.
The sound of a dry impact echoed as his fist hit emptiness. Lee was no longer there.
"How fast is he!" thought Zack, his heart racing. He turned his body, looking for the next attack, but felt a crushing force on his shoulder before he could react. Lee's kick sent him back several steps.
The pain radiated through his arm, but Zack planted his feet on the ground, refusing to fall.
"If I back down now, I'll never learn anything."
He advanced, throwing a hook that forced Lee to dodge. This time, Zack saw the opening and attacked again, channeling everything he had learned. His strike hit the air, but he realized something: the movement flowed more smoothly, more powerfully.
— Good job, Zack! — Lee praised, evading a kick that scraped his waist. — You're already applying what we trained, but…
Before he could finish, Lee unleashed a spinning kick that Zack barely managed to avoid, falling to his knees to escape.
The cold ground against his hands sent a shock through his body, but he used the last of his strength to rise. He lunged forward again, even as every muscle screamed in exhaustion.
"I can't stop."
Lee's attacks felt unyielding, like waves in a storm, but Zack noticed something. It wasn't just strength; it was absolute control over one's own body. He needed that level of mastery, and the only way to achieve it was by facing someone like Lee.
After several minutes, Zack fell to his knees again, his body trembling from exhaustion. The smell of dirt and sweat filled the air as his vision wavered between the marked trunk and Lee, who was still standing, breathing calmly.
Zack inhaled deeply, the scent of dust and sweat invading his nostrils. He clenched his fists, even with pain pulsing in his fingers, and took a step forward.
— Again, Lee. I'm not done yet.
Lee raised an eyebrow, his usual smile now more subtle, replaced by a silent respect. He lifted his arms, assuming his defensive stance once again.
— Then come. Show me your determination!
Zack exploded into movement, throwing a direct punch. The impact met Lee's forearm, which blocked with precision, but Zack did not stop. He twisted his torso, using the momentum for a low kick. The heel scraped against Lee's ankle, who jumped back slightly.
— Better, but still predictable! — Lee exclaimed, advancing like a bolt of lightning.
Lee's fist sliced through the air, targeting Zack's abdomen. He attempted to evade, leaning to the side, but felt the blow graze him. The pain radiated through his body, taking his breath away for a moment.
"He's too fast..."
Before he could react, Lee spun, delivering a sidekick. Zack saw the movement at the last second. He raised his arms in defense, but the impact sent him backward, dragging his feet across the ground.
The rough sound of his sandals against the earth was followed by a shout of effort as Zack regained his balance. His chest heaved with difficulty, but he moved forward again.
This time, Zack used a more unpredictable move, leaning his body to feign a punch. When Lee raised his arm to block, Zack quickly lowered and delivered an upward kick.
The dull sound of impact echoed as Zack's leg hit Lee's side, who slid a step to the side but remained steady.
— Excellent! — Lee said, his eyes shining with approval. — You're starting to think about the movements!
But Lee didn't give time for celebrations. He lunged again with a spinning kick, his leg cutting through the air with deadly speed. Zack ducked, feeling the wind rush above his head, but before he could counterattack, Lee was already on the move again.
An unrelenting sequence of punches and kicks came at him. Zack blocked the first punch, dodged a kick, but the third blow hit his shoulder, throwing him off balance. He stumbled, the metallic taste of blood filling his mouth as he bit the inside of his cheek.
"If I stop now, this will be useless!"
With a shout of effort, Zack lunged once more, ignoring the pain. He feigned a kick but spun his body, delivering a side punch. The fist hit empty air. Lee dodged with a fluid, almost graceful movement.
Before Zack could recover, Lee caught him off guard. A precise kick struck his ribs, lifting him off the ground for a brief moment. He fell heavily, the impact sending a wave of pain through his entire body.
Silence fell over the field for a moment. The world seemed to spin as Zack tried to rise. His vision wavered between the cloudy sky and Lee, who watched him with crossed arms.
Even so, Zack forced his arms to hold up his weight. He stood, his body trembling, but his eyes were firm.
— Do you still want to continue? — Lee asked, his voice filled with admiration.
Zack nodded, wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth.
— I... am still standing.
Lee smiled broadly, his teeth shining even under the dim light.
— Very well. But I think it's best we stop here; too much training is bad for both body and mind.
Zack hesitated. He wanted to continue but knew his body couldn't take much more. With a sigh, he relaxed his fists and shook his head.
— You're right.
Lee approached, placing his hand on Zack's shoulder.
— You've already impressed me today. Determination like yours is rare. Rest well, because tomorrow is a new day to keep growing.
Zack nodded, trying to process the words. As he watched, Lee turned, adjusting the wraps on his wrists.
— I'm heading out now. I need to finish my own training before sunset. — Lee said, looking toward the horizon.
Zack gave a half-smile, exhausted but inspired.
— Good luck, Lee.
— Luck? — Lee laughed, taking a few steps while waving his hand behind him. — I don't need luck, Zack. I have my effort!
And with that, Lee disappeared down the path, his steps quick and determined. Zack stood there for a moment, feeling the wind brush against his face while his mind replayed each moment of the training.
Even tired and sore, he couldn't shake a persistent thought: "Tomorrow, I will do even better."