NOVEL NEXT Episode LXVI: Sensei Yuichi’s Method
"Now, your first lesson will involve holding a boulder and running with it down this hill. Consider it your morning warmup," said Sensei Yuichi, gesturing towards the mountain's peak. "Is that all?" Kiyoshi asked. "Yes, that sums up the morning exercise," replied Sensei Yuichi.
Following his instructions, they each picked up a small boulder at the top of the mountain. As a team, they began to descend the hill together. "They could use a bit more pep in their step," muttered Sensei Yuichi, using his sand power to dislodge a wooden plank supporting a massive boulder on an elevated platform. The boulder crashed down with such force that it caused the mountain to tremble slightly.
"What was that?" Felix exclaimed. "I have no idea," Jax responded uncertainly. "Stay alert," Lionel cautioned them as the dislodged boulder started rolling downhill, gaining speed and momentum with each passing second.
The quartet felt the ground shaking beneath their feet and turned around only to see the giant boulder hurtling towards them at an alarming speed. "I didn't expect this from Sensei," Kiyoshi admitted breathlessly as Felix suggested they start running.
Despite their best efforts to outrun it, they were soon overtaken by the speeding boulder which knocked them over like bowling pins. Sensei Yuichi descended from the hilltop and looked at them in disappointment. "You weren't supposed to get caught by the boulder," he chided while shaking his head.
"Moving on to our next training exercise - balancing each other in mid-air." He demonstrated by spreading his arms and legs as if making snow angels in mid-air before adding, "One person will mirror this position upside down on top of another."
Kiyoshi frowned skeptically at him before saying, "This seems impossible for us." Unfazed, Sensei Yuichi replied, "This is only the easy part." At this, Kiyoshi's frown deepened into a scowl. "Oh, and the chains stay on throughout this exercise," added Sensei Yuichi.
With Jax and Lionel forming a strong base at the bottom, Felix and Kiyoshi attempted to balance themselves on top of them in an upside-down position. Their combined efforts lasted for about a minute before they lost their balance and fell to the ground. "You couldn't concentrate your power enough; you'll need more practice," Sensei Yuichi commented as the sun began to set.
"Day one of training is complete. I recommend getting some rest and food because tomorrow will be another long day of training," he advised before disappearing into a gust of wind.
They headed to the nearest café where they were surprised by its emptiness during dinner rush hour. One cook explained that everyone was out training for an upcoming tournament which sparked a lively discussion amongst them about their own preparation for it.
After filling up on taco buffet offered by the café, they returned to their training grounds where they went to sleep one by one. They woke up early next morning, ready for another grueling day of training.
Sensei Yuichi reemerged, carried by the wind. "Are you guys ready for the most intense training of the day?" he asked. All four students responded in unison, determination etched on their faces, "We are ready."
They began by running with boulders, repeating the exercise four times. The first attempt took them a little further than they had managed the previous day. By the second attempt, they were a quarter of the way up when a large boulder struck them down. On their third try, they attempted to leap over an incoming boulder but Kiyoshi's foot got ensnared and sent them all tumbling down onto the beach. Their fellow trainees on the beach erupted into laughter at their misfortune.
With scowls on their faces, they trudged back up the hill. On their fourth and final attempt, they successfully vaulted over the boulder only to be taken out halfway through by a rockslide initiated by Sensei Yuichi.
"Damnit," Lionel exclaimed as his fist pounded into the ground.
"I agree with Kiyoshi; this is impossible," Felix chimed in.
"Yeah, I'm with Felix and Kiyoshi on this one," Jax added.
"We can't give up now; we just have to keep at it," Lionel countered.
"Let's test your balance next," Sensei Yuichi suggested as he leaped down to join them. They tried maintaining their stance from yesterday's practice which held for about five minutes before collapsing again.
"I see improvement," noted Sensei Yuichi as evening fell and sunset painted the sky with hues of red and orange.
"I'll see you guys tomorrow, same place and time." He was about to disappear when Lionel called out to him.
"Wait… Sensei!"
Sensei Yuichi paused in his tracks at Lionel's call. "What is it?" he asked.
"Can you stay a little longer?" Lionel pleaded.
"I wish I could, but my time is limited right now," Sensei Yuichi replied before disappearing with the wind once again.
"We'll have to continue through the night if we want to complete this," Lionel stated, and the rest of them agreed. They continued their rigorous training from sunrise to sunset for about two and a half months. Sensei Yuichi watched them from afar, finally reappearing when they succeeded in their tasks.
They managed to leap over the boulder, dodge the rockslide while carrying heavy boulders in their hands, and master his team move balance technique. Their aura lit up for about ten minutes and their eyes glowed with their respective aura colors.
"Team Move: Mystical Force!" All four of them yelled together. They disappeared and reappeared within five seconds, releasing an enormous energy blast that punched through ten trees, drawing the attention of every fighter on the beach.
"That was awesome," Kiyoshi exclaimed excitedly.
"That was pretty cool," Jax agreed.
"See what happens when you put in hard work training," Lionel pointed out as Sensei Yuichi materialized before them once more.
"You guys are ready for your final test," he announced as he bowed respectfully.
"The final test?" Felix echoed.
"Yeah, where have you been these past two months?" Jax questioned.
"I've been watching from a distance; I knew you all could do it without my guidance," Sensei Yuichi explained.
"You're darn right; we didn't need your guidance!" Kiyoshi retorted energetically.
"So tomorrow will be your final test; sleep well." With those parting words, Sensei Yuichi vanished once again.
"What's his final test going to be?" Jax wondered aloud.
"Whatever it is, we must be prepared for it," Lionel mused. "In the meantime, let's get something to eat because I'm starving for a steak," Kiyoshi suggested.
"So, you're not going to worry about Sensei's final test because you're hungry for a steak?" Jax asked incredulously.
"Well, I can't fight on an empty stomach," Kiyoshi reasoned, patting his belly. Jax sighed in disbelief.
"Based on our training so far, I think we'll have to end up fighting him for the final test," Lionel speculated.
"Fight him?" Jax, Felix, and Kiyoshi echoed with surprise and fear etched on their faces.
"How can we win against a Sensei?" Jax wondered aloud.
"It's not about winning; it's all about whether we've improved as a team or not," Lionel explained.
"I'll believe that when he says those words tomorrow," Kiyoshi replied skeptically. They continued their trek towards the café with chains around their ankles, walking in sync with each other.