If you ever think training under a real teacher is going to be easy…
You've clearly never met Genzō.
⸻
He didn't start with lectures. He didn't give us cool techniques or secret scrolls.
Nope.
He stood in front of us with his arms crossed, stared us down, and said:
"You two don't know a damn thing about DU."
Then the hell began.
⸻
Morning to night—fighting.
No breaks. No mercy.
We trained until our arms stopped working. We threw punches until our fists bled. And every time we collapsed, Genzō stood over us sipping soda like it was a beach vacation.
"You're not done till you can move DU through your entire body," he'd say.
"Control it. Contain it. Explode with it. DU is everything."
Every day, me and Kaito fought each other—no holding back. Our bruises had bruises. But slowly… we got faster. Stronger. And more dangerous.
⸻
One Week Later…
We were limping toward the usual training ground when we saw him.
A tall guy in a sleeveless hoodie, standing over the corpse of one of the stronger monsters we had barely survived last week.
He cracked his neck, looked bored, and said:
"Gosh… this thing was weak."
I blinked. "Wait… that thing nearly killed us two days ago…"
Kaito's eyes lit up.
He stepped forward, grinning.
"You call that weak, huh?"
The guy turned.
His hair was messy. His smile was smug. And his eyes said he'd never once doubted himself in a fight.
"Huh? You talking to me?"
"Yeah. You said that thing was weak. How about you fight someone who's just as strong as you."
He smirked.
"That person doesn't exist."
Kaito's grin widened. "Then let me fix that for you."
They were about to throw hands—both of them stepping in, DU energy rising between them—when suddenly—
SMACK.
Genzō hit both of them on the head with a rolled-up newspaper.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa—cool it, you two! You're teammates now."
"Wait—what?" I said.
Genzō grinned.
"Boys, meet Renji Takasawa. My only student right now."
⸻
Renji crossed his arms, looking us over like we were rookies.
Kaito clicked his tongue. "Of course this guy's your student…"
"You got a problem?" Renji asked.
"Not yet. But I will."
Before they could go again, Genzō cut in.
"You three better get along. You've got a mission."
Kaito leaned forward. "A real mission?"
I stood up straighter. "What is it? A gang base? A demon?"
Genzō grinned like he just won the lottery.
"I need you to retrieve a bowl of ramen."
…
Silence.
"I'm sorry… what?" I said.
"You heard me. Special limited edition. Only served once a year. It's still hot. I want it before it gets cold."
Kaito's jaw dropped. "You're sending us through monster territory for noodles?!"
"Exactly. And be quick. If it gets soggy, I'll be very disappointed."
⸻
[30 Minutes Later…]
We were deep in a canyon filled with monsters.
Renji blasted one through the wall with ease.
Kaito took two down barehanded.
I weaved through five and knocked them out one by one.
We were starting to feel unstoppable—
Until we heard the voice.
"Well, well. Looks like we found 'em."
Three figures stepped out from the shadows.
And I recognized the tattoo on their arms.
"Wait… they're from the same gang as that tough guy from before…"
Kaito's expression darkened. "But these three… they're way stronger."
The tallest one stepped forward, cracking his knuckles.
"Heard you beat our guy half to death."
Renji grinned. "You want a rematch or a bodybag?"
The leader smirked.
"Nah."
He cracked his neck, eyes gleaming.
"I want all three of your heads.".