Since returning from Gourmet City, Shun had spent every day at Shokurin Temple preparing for the final training to come.
His daily fundamentals never stopped—if anything, he trained harder than before.
During zazen, the Pen-Tip Grass lined up before him now held steadily at over forty stalks. Other drills were likewise no longer a challenge. For example, without breaking a single yolk, he could ladle out more than ten jin of Egg-Yolk Rice as lightly as lifting a feather.
Whether bracing the swaying Camel Pudding on the brink of collapse, or standing before the cactus array that precisely corrected one's etiquette bow posture, he passed each test with fluid, unbroken movements and an undisturbed heart.
One day, while Shun was training in the courtyard, Shuu-sensei approached.
"Shun, it seems you're just about ready," Shuu-sensei said with a smile.
Shun nodded calmly. "Mm. Is it time to begin the final Shigi?"
Before Shuu-sensei could answer, a booming—yet faintly comedic—voice fell from the sky: "It's time."
Boom!
A figure dropped like a meteor, kicking up a cloud of dust and leaving a sizable crater in the ground.
When the dust settled, a small, round old man—about one-sixty tall—stood there.
Perched on his nose was a pair of little round glasses. He wore Shokurin Temple's training garb, and across his chest were two bold characters: Shigi.
The newcomer was the temple's shihan and abbot, a national treasure ranked alongside Setsuno-baasan—Chin Chinchin.
Shun stared at the over-the-top entrance, a few black lines sliding down his forehead.
Chin Chinchin stepped out of the pit as if nothing had happened, patted the dust from his clothes, straightened his glasses, squinted at Shun, and asked, "Hehehe… uh… what was your name again?"
Shun had watched the anime; he knew the shihan's bad habit—he could hardly remember people's names and would often call them whatever came to mind. Conversely, if Chin Chinchin remembered your name, it meant he recognized you.
Strong people tend to have quirky habits.
Chin Chinchin scratched his shiny pate, searched his memory, then brightened. "Oh, oh, right! You're Shu Shushun! That was it… probably."
Shun bowed. "Shun greets Chin-shihan."
Chin Chinchin nodded, looked Shun up and down, adjusted his little round glasses, and said, "You've gone even faster than I expected—you've already grasped the essence of Shigi! Progressing this quickly, you're the first since entering the temple… In short, from this moment on, I'll personally guide you through the next stage!"
Shun turned and bowed to Shuu-sensei. "Shuu-sensei, thank you again for guiding me and Miyoko."
Shuu-sensei smiled mildly. "All I did was draw out what you already possessed. The true test begins now. Be careful—whatever you do, don't throw your life away."
Don't throw your life away.
Those words laid bare how arduous this training would be.
Miyoko knew Shun would be starting his final training these days and hadn't come to disturb him, instead practicing hard in another area, doing all she could to catch up.
Shun knew the little old man before him was anything but ordinary. Even if he knew a few things from the story, there was still a flutter of nerves about what came next.
It lasted only a moment.
He stilled his heart and followed behind Chin Chinchin toward the next training ground.
As they walked, Chin Chinchin called forward, "If I remember right, you want to capture the temple's Soap Bubble Fruit, don't you?"
"That's right," Shun replied crisply, steps steady.
"Good. Then first, go fetch the Soap Bubble Fruit that's spilling out over the courtyard fountain!" Chin Chinchin declared.
Shun already knew the courtyard fruits weren't real—he'd learned that on his first visit—so he didn't ask more.
They headed for the courtyard together.
They arrived once more at the little pond.
Countless dreamlike Soap Bubble Fruit hovered above the water, refracting prismatic light—beautiful to behold.
The sight drew Shun back to his first arrival at Shokurin Temple; he couldn't help but feel a ripple of emotion.
"Shun, give it a try," Chin Chinchin said, breaking his reverie.
Shun inclined his head. Without any extra movement or word, he paced to the pond's edge with light, steady steps.
His actions seemed ordinary, yet they carried a rhythm that harmonized perfectly with the surroundings.
The Soap Bubble Fruit overhead showed not the slightest sign of alarm; they drifted unhurriedly on.
The first time he'd approached, the fruits had burst the moment he neared.
This time… completely different.
Shun stopped before the largest fruit. He slowly extended both hands, approaching with a touch so soft it was more invitation than capture.
At the instant his fingertips should have brushed the surface, his motion refined to the utmost degree. The Soap Bubble Fruit seemed drawn by an unseen field and, of its own accord, settled safely into his palms.
This time, success—without suspense.
The whole process was effortless and natural.
Only then did Shun speak. "It isn't the real Soap Bubble Fruit, but… it's already close to the genuine feel, isn't it?"
"Hehe… so you already knew these were replicas," Chin Chinchin said approvingly, raising a finger. "To be precise, they're hollow Soap Bubble Fruit—my custom tools for giving trainees an initial sense of the fruit's contact."
"So where is the real Soap Bubble Fruit?" Shun asked, curious.
"The true fruit lies at the end of the path behind the temple's back mountain," Chin said. "What we'll do next is bring it back. That will be your training."
It sounded simple. How hard it truly was—he'd soon find out.
"Come with me. Our next stop is on the back mountain—Bubble Avenue!" Chin Chinchin waved Shun along.
…
(End of Chapter)
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