The next morning, Ren Yamazaki stood in front of the Yamazaki clan's sprawling training grounds. The air was thick with the scent of sweat, wood, and steel. The sound of sparring echoed across the courtyard—grunts, the clash of weapons, and barked commands from seasoned trainers. This was where the clan's finest warriors honed their craft, a place Ren had always avoided in his past life.
Now, he was here by choice.
"You better not waste my time."
Ren turned toward the voice—a tall, broad-shouldered man in a sleeveless gi. Tatsuo Yamazaki. His older cousin and one of the most feared fighters in the family. Tatsuo's arms were corded with muscle, his fists scarred from countless fights. His eyes were cold, calculating.
"I'm not here to waste time," Ren said evenly, holding his ground. "I'm here to train."
Tatsuo snorted, crossing his arms. "Training? You?" He barked a harsh laugh. "You barely survived last time. What makes you think you're ready now?"
Ren's eyes narrowed. "Because I've changed."
Tatsuo's grin faded. He stepped forward, looming over Ren. "Prove it," he growled. "You want to step into this world? Show me you're not the same weak little rat."
The courtyard fell silent. Other Yamazaki fighters paused their training, turning to watch the confrontation. The tension crackled like a live wire.
Ren clenched his fists, feeling the faint pulse of the System in the back of his mind. "Stay calm. Focus. The mission is clear."
[SYSTEM UPDATE]
Mission: Defeat Tatsuo Yamazaki in a Sparring Match
Details: Overcome Tatsuo's brute strength with technique and precision.
Reward: 500 Points, Guard Breaker Technique Mastery (Level 1)
Ren shifted into his stance, feet shoulder-width apart, hands up. Tatsuo smirked, cracking his knuckles.
"No running this time," Tatsuo sneered. "You're not leaving this courtyard without bleeding."
Ren didn't respond. He focused on his breathing, keeping his guard tight. Tatsuo charged forward, a blur of muscle and rage. His first punch came fast and heavy, aimed straight for Ren's face.
Ren ducked, narrowly avoiding the blow. The force of Tatsuo's punch splintered the wooden post behind him.
"Too slow," Ren taunted, stepping back and throwing a quick jab. It landed cleanly on Tatsuo's jaw.
Tatsuo growled, rubbing his chin. "You're gonna regret that."
He launched a barrage of punches, each one heavier than the last. Ren dodged and weaved, relying on speed and technique. The System's guidance flowed through his mind. "Stay light on your feet. Look for openings."
Ren saw it—a brief lapse in Tatsuo's guard. He stepped in, delivering a sharp straight punch to Tatsuo's ribs. The older fighter grunted, stumbling back.
"Not bad," Tatsuo admitted, cracking his neck. "But let's see how you handle this!"
He lunged forward with a powerful kick. Ren anticipated the move, sidestepping and using the momentum to land a clean strike to Tatsuo's temple.
Tatsuo staggered, shaking his head. "You little—"
Before he could finish, Ren surged forward, fists flying. He landed a combination of jabs and straights, each punch calculated and precise. Tatsuo's defenses crumbled under the onslaught.
"Finish him with a Guard Breaker," the System urged.
Ren pivoted, bringing his fist down in a devastating arc. His knuckles slammed into Tatsuo's guard, shattering it. Tatsuo fell to one knee, gasping for air.
The courtyard was silent. No one dared speak as Tatsuo, one of the clan's fiercest warriors, knelt before Ren.
Ren lowered his fists, breathing heavily. His eyes were cold, unyielding. "Still think I'm weak?" he asked, his voice low and dangerous.
Tatsuo coughed, wiping blood from his mouth. He met Ren's gaze, a flicker of respect in his eyes. "You've got guts, I'll give you that," he muttered, standing shakily. "But this isn't over."
Ren smirked. "It never is."
[MISSION COMPLETED]
Rewards Unlocked:
500 Points
Guard Breaker Technique (Level 1 Mastery)
As the System's notification faded, Ren turned and walked away, the eyes of the Yamazaki clan following his every move. He knew this was just the beginning. The real battles were yet to come.
"Let them watch," he thought. "They'll see soon enough."
--END--