At 6 AM, Shinjiro was waiting outside for everyone. Ten minutes later, everyone gathered with noticeable tiredness in their eyes and body language.
"Alright, during this month I will be training you in two parts individually and together to improve yourselves and your unity." Shinjiro announced.
"Also, we have a special guest," said Shinjiro as Penemue suddenly appeared with someone else in tow.
"This is Asia Argento. I met her soon after the abandoned church incident. She is under the Grigori's protection, so don't think about anything."
"Hello, everyone. Please call me Asia, and I hope we can be good friends," cheerfully responded Asia.
Issei's eyes widened, and he blushed slightly. "Wow, she's cute," he said, before getting bonked by Koneko.
"To begin, I will assess your strength myself. I will hold back to show you your weaknesses, and I hope you use this as a pivot point to help get stronger, not just for yourself but for your comrades that you will fight alongside."
"Up first, Kiba."
Kiba made his way towards Shinjiro, standing at a distance, readying his sword.
"Begin," said Penemue.
Right away, Shinjiro used his hand to dig into the ground, using his grip strength to make the ground finer before dispersing it into the air, creating a dense dust cloud surrounding him and Kiba.
Kiba coughed, sucking in some of the dirt before reacting swiftly to the situation. Instead of being caught off guard, he utilized his training to quickly assess the situation. He stabilized himself, keeping his senses sharp and maintaining a defensive stance within the dust cloud.
"Remember, this is supposed to represent a real fight. In a real fight, there are no rules; the only goal is to survive or die trying. Forget honor and respect; they are meaningless in the face of death," said Shinjiro as his voice echoed through the dust.
Kiba's eyes widened in shock as Shinjiro's voice seemed to come from all directions. He spun around, trying to locate Shinjiro, but the dust cloud made it nearly impossible to see.
"And in a real fight, you would have died without knowing what hit you."
Suddenly, Kiba felt a presence behind him. He spun around, but Shinjiro was already on the move. Gritting his teeth, Kiba narrowed his eyes, understanding the harsh reality of Shinjiro's words. Then, with a deep breath, Shinjiro exhaled forcefully, using his powerful lungs to blow the dust cloud away, clearing the air.
With visibility restored, Kiba adjusted his grip on his sword before launching himself in a burst of speed towards Shinjiro, using his agility and precision to launch a series of calculated strikes aimed at Shinjiro's vital points.
Shinjiro's movements were extraordinary as he weaved through the attacks, his superior physicality and combat experience clearly evident. He anticipated Kiba's strikes with ease, blocking and countering with minimal effort.
Kiba, recognizing the vast difference in their physical capabilities, summoned a second sword with his Sacred Gear to increase his attack capabilities. He aimed for Shinjiro's weak spots, hoping to find an opening.
Grabbing one of Kiba's swords with a vice-like grip, Shinjiro pulled him closer. Kiba tried to use the momentum to pivot and counterattack, but Shinjiro's overwhelming strength made it impossible. Shinjiro launched a powerful palm strike to Kiba's chin, the force of which made Kiba's eyes blur and his body lose balance as he fell to the ground.
Shinjiro stood over him, his expression stern. "You have speed and skill, but you lack the power to back it up. In a real fight, your agility alone won't save you in front of a strong opponent if you can't follow through. You need to be able to adapt and overcome. Build your strength and resilience to match your speed, or you'll always be at a disadvantage."
Kiba struggled to his feet, his eyes filled with determination despite the pain. "I understand," he said, gripping his swords tighter. "I need to get stronger."
"Asia," Shinjiro called out.
"Yes," responded Asia as she rushed towards Kiba. A green glow appeared as she activated her healing magic, mending Kiba's injuries.
As Kiba felt the healing warmth spread through his body, he looked up at Shinjiro, his resolve strengthened. "I'll work on it. Thank you, Shinjiro."
Shinjiro nodded approvingly. "Good. Speed and skill are important, but without the strength to back them up, they're incomplete. Keep training, and you'll get there."
Rias's interest was piqued, but seeing Shinjiro stare, she erased that thought.
"Alright, next, Koneko."
Again, Shinjiro and Koneko stood at a distance.
"Begin."
Koneko decided to adopt a defensive stance, her eyes focused and her body ready to react.
"Guarding against the unknown, that is good. However," Shinjiro said as he rushed towards her, sending a powerful kick right towards her arms. She tried to block it, proving to be a mistake, the force was too great. She was hurled across the field, barely managing to stabilize herself mid-air. Her usual stoic face showed a flicker of pain, her arms throbbing but not broken.
"In front of unknown strength, what should you do instead?" Shinjiro continued as he approached her again with relentless speed. "You must adapt and avoid. Don't just stand there and take it."
Koneko attempted to create space to recover, but Shinjiro's speed made that impossible. He appeared in front of her in an instant, grabbing her arm with a tight grip, sending searing pain throughout her limb. He threw two quick jabs to her stomach, causing all the air to rush out of her before sliding his foot over her leg and bringing her down to the ground with a thud.
Koneko gasped for breath, her stoic demeanor cracking under the strain. She struggled to get up, her body shaking.
Shinjiro stood over her, his expression stern. "You have strength and endurance, but you rely too much on your defensive capabilities. In a real fight, you can't just guard and hope for the best. You need to be agile, adaptable, and willing to take the offensive when necessary."
Koneko's eyes flickered with determination as she absorbed his words. Despite the pain, she forced herself back to her feet, ready to continue.
"Asia," Shinjiro called out, signaling for the healer.
Asia rushed towards the scene, her hands glowing with healing magic. She gently placed her hands on Koneko, mending the injuries.
As Koneko felt the healing warmth spread through her body, she looked up at Shinjiro, her resolve strengthened. "I understand. I need to be more than just a shield. I'll work on it."
Shinjiro nodded approvingly. "Good. Strength and defense are important, but you need to balance them with speed and offense. Remember, the best defense can sometimes be a strong offense. Always think on your feet and adapt to the strength of your opponent."