Early in the morning, dense fog covered a forest near the Sakura Bushido martial arts school. Within the dense forest, a series of striking sounds echoed repeatedly.
In an open space within that same forest, three wooden dummies shaped like humans were arranged in a triangular formation on the ground. In the center of the triangle, there was a skilled figure swiftly dodging, retreating, and simulating defense, managing to keep up with the shadow of the outstretched wooden arms moving forward.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
The sounds of strikes occurred as Dash's hands collided with the wooden dummies while he also moved his feet. With each sound, one could feel the deep and powerful force behind each strike.
Naturally, Dash, who moved among the wooden figures, was intensely trained after being absent from intense training for some time.
Right now, he was completely focused on the wooden figures, imagining a fight in his mind, raising his guard, and responding with strikes from time to time. Moments later, his expression turned serious as two of his calloused fingers fiercely attacked specific points on the wooden dummies.
Thud!
Just as Dash's calloused fingers struck those wooden areas, an explosive sound was heard. Immediately after, the sturdy wooden dummy wobbled, showing even marks of being broken.
Thud! Thud!
At that moment, Dash extended his left hand and quickly attacked twice in the same manner. Immediately after, both wooden dummies swayed back and forth.
"Dash's strength is truly formidable!"
Witnessing the destructive potential of Dash's attacks, Chozen, who was giving him special attention in the mornings, couldn't help but feel satisfied. Now, with the Sekai Takai tournament approaching, it seemed that Dash's dim flame had been reignited.
Dash's kung fu had evolved in an enviable way, even rivaling great martial arts masters regardless of age.
Having trained Dash for the past few years, Chozen discovered that his potential had reached the maximum a human could aspire to achieve, and from this point on, he would only grow stronger.
Of course, Dash was about to turn twenty, and the maximum strength estimated in a human typically reaches its peak potential around nineteen years old with proper training.
Therefore, after months of training, this fact was happening to Dash, who was showing visible changes in his body.
As he completed part of his rigorous training, Dash wiped the sweat from his forehead as he sat under a huge tree. With a serious expression on his face, he proceeded to watch a video of previous Sekai Takai matches.
"Well, I guess the selection is about to begin," Dash thought, pausing his training.
Chozen looked at the time and nodded. "My morning bath; I have to go now."
"Make sure no one sees you."
"I will; that's why I'm going home."
...
A few hours later, Terry Silver, who looked at the distinguished members of the Sekai Takai, greeted them warmly: "It's an honor to have you here."
"Mr. Silver, I'm Gunter Brawn, speaking on behalf of Sekai Takai. As you know, the entry process for the tournament is quite rigorous, and despite your proposals, we cannot guarantee admission," Gunter said, now in a more professional tone.
Terry nodded and said, "I understand, but I assure you that my school is worthy of admission. As you can see, our dojo is very modern, and our masters are unparalleled."
"Very impressive, but there are many dojos like these in the world."
"It's a shame no one has ever heard of them. That's where I could help, with sponsorships and an audience they've never had. Karate gave my life a purpose; it gave me a role, and my purpose now is to do the same with my students," Terry pointed out with quite arrogance.
Gunter nodded and said, "We appreciate your dedication, but this evaluation goes directly to your students, knowing that they perform well."
"I assure you, the students of my dojo are the best in the valley."
"I wouldn't be so sure of that." At that moment, Daniel entered, followed by Johnny and Chozen, who had come from who knows where.
"What are you all doing here?" Terry Silver was very confused.
"I called them; a source of information indicates that there are good schools in this place, many of which have more titles than history and have been in everyone's mouths for a long time," Gunter said, looking towards the corner of the dojo and finding Dash waving at him.
"Put a lot of sugar in my milkshake; make it very cold, please." Dash looked at the boy attending the bar in this dojo and asked him for a milkshake.
"Who are you?"
Dash looked at his clothes and said, "I'm someone new; just make me a milkshake."
Gunter, who had gathered with all the sensei from both schools, said, "Although you made us believe that you were the best school in this place, you have been saved by certain circumstances quite unknown to all of you, so now we will evaluate both schools right here. Do you have a problem with that?"
"No, of course not."