The days had blurred together, each one more taxing than the last. Kairo had spent countless hours perfecting his control over Ten, Zetsu, and Ren. The relentless routine had become second nature to him—an unspoken rhythm of struggle and mastery. But something had changed. There was a subtle shift in his understanding, an awakening of sorts. His control was more stable, more refined. He had reached a milestone.
It was time for Roderick's next challenge.
Kairo stood before Roderick, his instructor's sharp gaze assessing him with an intensity that felt like it could cut through stone. He'd gotten used to this over the past few months, but it never became any easier. Kairo couldn't afford to be complacent. Not when he had a plan, a path he needed to follow.
"You've mastered the basics," Roderick spoke coldly, his voice devoid of praise or approval. "But it's time to move forward. Today, we begin your Hatsu training."
Kairo nodded, mentally preparing himself. This was the next step in his evolution, the moment he'd been anticipating. His mind was sharp, his Nen already powerful. But his Hatsu—his true expression of power—was still something unknown, a puzzle he needed to solve.
"Your Hatsu will define your power," Roderick continued. "It's not something you can force—it must come from within, shaped by your experiences and your will."
Kairo's thoughts turned inward for a moment. He knew what his Hatsu needed to be—something tied to his adaptability, to his evolution, something that reflected his growing strength. But he couldn't let Roderick know that. Not yet. If he revealed too much now, it would jeopardize everything.
Roderick's next words broke his concentration. "Before we begin, we'll perform the Water Divination test. This will give me a sense of your current Nen state."
The test was simple: Kairo was to pour his Nen into a cup of water, allowing it to react in some way that would reveal the strength of his aura. It was a common test, used to evaluate a Nen user's potential. But Kairo knew that this test wasn't the real challenge. The real challenge was what came after.
Kairo stepped forward and focused, letting his aura flow outward, mingling with the water. The liquid shimmered, reacting to his Nen in a subtle way. He could feel it—a pull, an affinity, something beyond just basic control. It wasn't overwhelming, but it was unmistakable.
Roderick's eyes narrowed, but he said nothing. Kairo kept his expression neutral, giving away nothing.
"Your Nen is strong, but there is something more here," Roderick muttered. "It's not like anything I've seen before."
Kairo's heart raced. This was the first time he had shown a hint of his Hatsu, but he was careful to keep it buried beneath the surface. No need to reveal his true potential just yet. Not when he had to hide it, bide his time.
Roderick simply nodded, as though accepting the result, and moved on to the next phase. "Let's begin your training. I'll push you to your limits."
The training began immediately after the Water Divination test, with Roderick pushing Kairo through an intense series of exercises. The first challenge was simple in theory, but incredibly difficult in practice: Kairo was to combine his mastery of Ten, Zetsu, and Ren while maintaining a constant flow of his Nen through his body.
The idea was to shift seamlessly between each technique, adapting his strategy in real-time. Ten for defense, Zetsu for suppression, and Ren for power—Kairo had to stay fluid, never letting his Nen slip or falter.
The problem, however, wasn't just the combination of techniques. Kairo had to suppress the overwhelming urge to use his Hatsu. It was growing within him, pushing to break free. But now wasn't the time. Not yet.
Roderick watched closely, his sharp gaze never leaving Kairo. The fight was more of a dance than a battle—Kairo dodging, blocking, and attacking with calculated precision. He was faster now, more efficient, moving like water through the training field. Every step was deliberate, every move a part of the puzzle he was solving within himself.
But Roderick wasn't just testing his Nen control. He was testing Kairo's will, his ability to adapt. The moment Kairo showed any sign of weakness, Roderick struck, his movements fluid and practiced. Kairo had to stay ahead, keep moving, keep evolving.
Roderick's voice cut through the fight. "I'll allow you some freedom in your movements. But remember, you're not ready to use your Hatsu. Not yet."
Kairo nodded, feeling the weight of the words. He wasn't ready. Not yet.
The fight continued, each exchange building upon the last. Kairo's mind raced, thinking ahead, adapting. His agility was unmatched, his movements fluid as he leaped and rolled to avoid Roderick's strikes. But despite his grace, despite his speed, Kairo was still no match for his instructor.
He ducked under a heavy blow, then spun to land a swift strike to Roderick's side. But the moment he thought he had an opening, Roderick was already there, his counterattack coming faster than Kairo could react.
Kairo gritted his teeth, his focus narrowing. He couldn't afford to lose. But no matter how hard he tried, he was outmatched.
Finally, after a particularly brutal exchange, Kairo found himself on the ground, breathless and battered. He didn't have the energy to continue, his body aching from the relentless fight.
Roderick stepped back, observing him with a cool, calculating gaze. "You've made progress. But it's not enough. Not yet."
Kairo sat up slowly, wiping the sweat from his brow. He wasn't defeated. Not yet. But the fight was a stark reminder of his current limitations. There was so much more to learn.
As he caught his breath, Kairo couldn't help but think about the bigger picture. Roderick was an obstacle, a powerful one, but one that he would have to overcome eventually. The organization, the facility, everything—it was all just a part of the plan. He wasn't here just to grow stronger; he was here to break free. And every day that he trained, every ounce of strength he gained, brought him one step closer to that freedom.
But he would need more than just power. He would need patience, strategy, and the right moment to strike.
Kairo glanced at Roderick, who stood across from him, seemingly unfazed by the fight. The man was a monster, a master of Nen—far beyond what Kairo could imagine. But that didn't matter. Kairo would get there. He would be the one to break free.
But for now, he would keep his Hatsu hidden. It was his secret weapon, and he couldn't afford to reveal it until the time was right.