Dread painted Kazuki's features at Kiyoshi's words, his mind reeling with the implications of such a dire consequence. Unbeknownst to him, Kiyoshi's statement was far from the truth. In reality, the worst that would happen if Kazuki failed to suppress his Dengen was that he would simply pass out. However, Kiyoshi had his own reasons for issuing such a drastic ultimatum—to test Kazuki's true potential and determination.
With a heavy heart, Kazuki absorbed Kiyoshi's warning, his mind racing as he grappled with the gravity of the situation. He knew that he couldn't afford to let his guard down, not when his very life hung in the balance.
Kiyoshi's next words offered a glimmer of guidance amidst the uncertainty. "The only thing I'll tell you is this," he said, his voice tinged with a hint of mystery. "Visualize the threads throughout your body being pinched, like a straw."
Despite his frustration at Kiyoshi's cryptic instruction and the lingering questions about the enigmatic "threads," Kazuki knew that he had no choice but to comply. With a resigned sigh, he closed his eyes and focused on the image Kiyoshi had described, willing his body to suppress the overflow of energy.
As Kiyoshi disappeared into the depths of the woods, Kazuki was left alone to grapple with the daunting task of suppressing his newly awakened Dengen. The weight of Kiyoshi's warning hung heavy on his shoulders, each passing moment filled with a sense of urgency and impending danger.
Despite the vague instructions provided by Kiyoshi, Kazuki's determination remained unwavering. He understood the gravity of the situation and knew that failure was not an option. With a steely resolve, he took a deep breath and focused on visualizing the threads within his body, as Kiyoshi had suggested.
The forest echoed with the sounds of rustling leaves and distant wildlife, but Kazuki remained undeterred. He closed his eyes and delved deep into his mind, channeling all of his concentration into the task at hand. With each passing moment, he could feel the faint tendrils of his Dengen pulsating within him, threatening to surge out of control.
However, Kazuki refused to succumb to panic. Instead, he embraced the challenge with a sense of determination and confidence. With a smirk playing at the corners of his lips, he continued to follow Kiyoshi's instructions with unwavering resolve, trusting in his own instincts to guide him through the ordeal.
As the hour passed, the tension in the air grew palpable, each passing second feeling like an eternity. Then, suddenly, a deafening roar echoed through the forest, reverberating with primal power. Kiyoshi's instincts kicked into overdrive as he sprinted back to Kazuki's position, his heart pounding with a mixture of apprehension and anticipation.
Arriving at the scene, Kiyoshi's eyes widened in disbelief as he beheld the sight before him. Kazuki stood tall, his demeanor radiating with a newfound confidence and strength. The minimal traces of Dengen surrounding his body confirmed Kiyoshi's suspicions—Kazuki had successfully contained his aura.
Surprise mingled with pride as Kiyoshi observed Kazuki's accomplishment. Even more astonishing was the fact that Kazuki knew not to closed every thread, a risky move that had paid off in preserving the subtle aura around him.
Kazuki couldn't contain his excitement as he flashed his trademark grin at Kiyoshi. For a fleeting moment, he hesitated, almost ready to apologize for his exuberance as he had done countless times before with his parents. However, before he could utter a word, Kiyoshi rushed forward and enveloped him in a tight embrace. Kazuki was taken aback by the sudden display of affection, his eyes widening in astonishment.
Pulling away from the embrace, Kiyoshi met Kazuki's gaze with genuine admiration. "You're amazing, Kazuki! You've truly defied all my expectations!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with genuine pride.
Tears welled up in Kazuki's eyes as he realized the significance of Kiyoshi's words. For the first time, he felt a sense of validation and acceptance that he had long yearned for. "Thank you, sensei," he whispered hoarsely, his voice filled with emotion. It was the first time Kiyoshi had ever called him by his name, a gesture that meant more to Kazuki than he could express in words.
Chapter 3
As the crackling flames of the campfire cast flickering shadows around them, Kiyoshi and Kazuki sat side by side, indulging in the hearty meal of bear meat that Kiyoshi had skillfully hunted earlier. The rich aroma of the roasted meat filled the air, mingling with the sounds of the surrounding forest.
Kazuki's admiration for his mentor shone brightly in his eyes as he spoke, his words infused with genuine reverence. "I can't believe you can take down bears so effortlessly, sensei. I hope one day I'll be as strong as you."
A mischievous glint danced in Kiyoshi's eyes as he flashed a playful smirk in Kazuki's direction. "What are you, delusional?" he teased, his tone light-hearted yet tinged with underlying confidence. "You'll never be as strong as me because I just keep getting stronger! Sure, you're a Dengen prodigy, but that won't help you match the raw strength I possess. Your best chance is after I'm long gone, and even then, it's a long shot!"
Kazuki's lips curved into a playful grin as he volleyed back, his retort laced with equal parts jest and determination. "That was harsh, sensei. But trust me, I can be harsher! After all, you're just a middle-aged man. Your strength won't last forever!"
A perplexed expression flickered across Kiyoshi's features at Kazuki's remark, his brow furrowing in confusion. "Middle-aged? What on earth are you talking about? I'm only twenty," he exclaimed, his tone incredulous.
An even deeper furrow formed between Kazuki's brows as he processed Kiyoshi's revelation. "Twenty? But you... You look at least in your mid-thirties!" he stammered, his surprise evident in his voice.
Shock registered in Kiyoshi's eyes at Kazuki's assessment, a momentary pause hanging in the air as he grappled with the revelation. "Mid-thirties? That old?" he echoed, his voice tinged with disbelief. "Perhaps it's the beard. Spending so much time out here ages a person. Just wait here a moment, I'll go find something to shave with," he declared, bounding off into the darkness of the night in search of a solution to his newfound realization.
A few minutes later, Kiyoshi returned to the campsite, a determined expression etched on his features as he brandished a makeshift razor he had fashioned from a piece of sharpened wood and a shard of metal. His steps were purposeful, his movements swift as he approached Kazuki.
As Kiyoshi drew nearer, Kazuki turned to greet him, his lips parting to question how he had returned so swiftly. However, before he could utter a word, Kazuki froze in astonishment, his eyes widening in disbelief at the sight before him.
Kiyoshi's appearance had undergone a remarkable transformation. The lines etched with age had softened, his features now bearing a youthful vitality that belied his true age. It was as though he had shed decades in a matter of moments, his appearance now aligning more closely with his actual age.
Kazuki's mouth hung agape as he struggled to comprehend the sudden change in Kiyoshi's appearance. Gone was the weathered facade of a seasoned warrior, replaced instead by the visage of a man in the prime of his youth. It was a startling revelation, one that left Kazuki speechless with wonder.
Seizing the opportunity to revel in his newfound appearance, Kiyoshi stepped closer to Kazuki, a self-satisfied smirk playing on his lips. He leaned in, his face mere inches from Kazuki's, as he basked in the astonishment reflected in the younger man's eyes.
"It seems all it took was a little grooming," Kiyoshi remarked with a chuckle, his tone laced with amusement. "Who knew that scruffy beard was holding me back all this time?"
Kazuki couldn't help but marvel at the transformation before him, a newfound appreciation for the enigmatic mentor who had taken him under his wing blossoming within his heart. As Kiyoshi continued to boast about his revitalized appearance, Kazuki couldn't suppress a grin of his own, grateful for the unexpected moments of levity that had become a hallmark of their journey together.
Kazuki observed Kiyoshi with a mixture of curiosity and amusement, his gaze lingering on the transformed visage of his mentor. Despite the lingering questions about the sudden change in appearance, Kazuki couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement at the prospect of delving deeper into the mysteries of his Dengen.
"Are you sure that all you changed was your beard? You almost look like a completely different person!" Kazuki ventured, his tone tinged with intrigue.
Kiyoshi responded with a cryptic smile, his eyes sparkling with an enigmatic glint. "Ah, who knows?" he replied casually, leaving the question unanswered as he shifted his focus to more pressing matters. "Now, what do you say we focus on more important matters? Like mastering that Dengen of yours."
Kazuki's brow furrowed in confusion at the abrupt change in topic. "My Dengen? Aren't we going to rest for the night?" he inquired, his voice betraying a hint of weariness.
But Kiyoshi shook his head resolutely, dismissing the notion of rest with a wave of his hand. "Nope, you said you wanted the fast way, right?" he exclaimed with a mischievous grin, his thumbs jabbing playfully in Kazuki's direction. "I'll make you regret that!" he declared, his eyes alight with playfulness as he prepared to plunge headlong into their training regimen once more.
Kazuki's expression darkened with a sense of regret as he reflected on his earlier words, his features etched with visible stress. "Why did his entire mood change? You don't have to act younger just because you look younger, you know," he muttered to himself, grappling with the unexpected shift in Kiyoshi's demeanor.
"Alright, before I teach you any more about Dengen, we're gonna need to get some muscle on you, Kazuki," Kiyoshi declared, his tone serious and resolute.
Muscle? Why do I need more muscle?" Kazuki questioned, his curiosity piqued by Kiyoshi's unexpected request.
Kiyoshi offered a straightforward explanation, his words tinged with a hint of exasperation. "Well, to be honest, if someone used Dengen with a weak and untrained body, it might just shatter," he began, his gaze narrowing in contemplation. "Which leads me to question how the hell you used it before without shattering every bone in your arm, but that's irrelevant for now," he added with a dismissive wave of his hand. "Seriously, how the hell did he do that?" Kiyoshi muttered to himself, his brow furrowing in bewilderment as he pondered Kazuki's inexplicable feat.
"Anyway, with my help, you'll be the buffest seven-year-old on this planet, Keitar— I mean, Kazuki…" Kiyoshi's words stumbled over each other, betraying a momentary lapse in his usual composure.
"Huh, did you say Keitaro? Who's Keitar—" Kazuki began, his curiosity piqued by the unfamiliar name, but he was swiftly interrupted by Kiyoshi's commanding instructions.
"First things first! Do some push-ups for me, do as many as you can!" Kiyoshi interjected, sidestepping Kazuki's inquiries with a sense of urgency.
Kazuki blinked in mild confusion at Kiyoshi's sudden change in demeanor, but he quickly pushed aside his questions and complied with Kiyoshi's directive. "That was strange, but I guess I better listen…" he mused aloud as he assumed a plank position, preparing himself for the physical challenge ahead.
As Kazuki attempted to shrug off Kiyoshi's odd behavior and focus on the task at hand, he lowered himself into a push-up position with determination. However, to his dismay, his arms gave out almost immediately, unable to support his weight for even a single repetition. With a defeated grunt, he face-planted into the dirt floor below, his cheeks burning with embarrassment.
Slowly lifting his head from the ground, Kazuki met Kiyoshi's gaze as the he crouched down in front of him. The disappointment in Kiyoshi's eyes was palpable as he delivered his assessment with brutal honesty. "That was… depressingly godawful. Quite possibly the worst performance I've ever seen. You might have no hope, kid."
Shock flashed across Kazuki's features, his mind reeling from Kiyoshi's harsh critique. "He also went back to calling me 'kid'... Did he just disown me?" Kazuki's inner turmoil churned as he struggled to make sense of Kiyoshi's sudden shift in demeanor.
Kiyoshi let out a long, weary sigh, his frustration evident in the heavy weight of his breath. "Your first task," he began, his voice carrying a hint of exasperation, "I want you to be able to do at least 10 push-ups before tomorrow night. I'm sure you'll be able to do it, prodigy." Despite his stern words, a mischievous grin danced across Kiyoshi's lips, revealing a glimmer of underlying encouragement.
Kazuki's jaw dropped in disbelief at the seemingly impossible challenge laid before him. "Y-You can't be serious," he stammered, his voice tinged with uncertainty. But as he turned back to Kiyoshi for reassurance or guidance, he found the him already fast asleep, his steady breaths filling the air with a sense of calm serenity. Kazuki couldn't help but shake his head in bemusement at Kiyoshi's ability to drift off into slumber at record speed. "This guy…" he muttered to himself, a mixture of frustration and amusement coloring his tone, "Who the hell does he think I am?"
Kazuki's determination didn't waver as he pushed himself through each attempt, grunting with exertion as he strained to lift his body from the ground. Despite his relentless efforts, however, he found himself falling short of Kiyoshi's lofty expectations. Frustration gnawed at him as he realized he could only manage to eke out five pushups before his muscles screamed in protest and gave out.
As he sat by the campfire, a mixture of exhaustion and disappointment weighing heavily upon him, Kazuki was jolted from his reverie by Kiyoshi's sudden awakening. "You're alive?!" Kazuki exclaimed in disbelief, his voice tinged with both relief and incredulity. "How the hell did you sleep that long? I thought you were dead!"
Kiyoshi stretched languidly, a lazy grin spreading across his features as he shrugged off Kazuki's concerns. "I was... tired," he mumbled sleepily, his words trailing off into a yawn. "But never mind that, how did you get on?"
Kazuki's shoulders slumped as he reluctantly admitted his failure, his voice tinged with frustration. "I... I couldn't do it," he confessed, the weight of his disappointment evident in his tone. "I only managed to do five... I'm sorry, sensei."
Kiyoshi's unexpected reaction caught Kazuki off guard, his surprise evident in the way his eyes widened in disbelief. "Five?" Kiyoshi repeated, his tone laced with incredulity. "Then why is your head hung low?"
A sense of confusion washed over Kazuki as he slowly raised his head, unsure of how to interpret Kiyoshi's reaction. Before he could voice his thoughts, however, Kiyoshi's proud smile interrupted him, enveloping the clearing in an aura of warmth and encouragement.
Kiyoshi's laughter filled the air, a genuine expression of amusement that seemed to dispel the tension that had lingered between them. "Kazuki, I didn't expect you to do two pushups, much less five. You've truly surprised me!" His voice carried a note of admiration that warmed Kazuki's heart, erasing the self-doubt that had clouded his mind.
With newfound determination coursing through his veins, Kazuki's lips curved into a tentative smile. "So... does this mean...?" he ventured, his voice tinged with uncertainty.
Kiyoshi's grin widened as he clapped Kazuki on the shoulder, his eyes shining with pride. "As of tomorrow," he declared, his tone filled with resolve, "I will start formally training you to effectively use Dengen."
A surge of excitement washed over Kazuki as he realized the magnitude of what lay ahead. With Kiyoshi by his side, guiding him every step of the way, he knew that he was ready to embrace whatever challenges awaited him on the path to mastering his newfound abilities.