After parting ways with Kanroji Mitsuri, Aoki had just returned to the dojo when Akiyama Keisuke called him back.
"Junior Brother Aomura, there's practical training tomorrow, why don't you join us?"
"I'll pass,"
Aoki declined.
Fighting ordinary people was pointless; it wouldn't benefit him or anyone else.
Akiyama Keisuke, thinking he was worried about the sunlight, quickly said, "Junior Brother, don't worry, the practical training will be conducted in a shaded room."
Seeing his tired expression and slightly pleading eyes, Aoki pondered for a moment and didn't refuse again: "Alright then, I'll be there on time."
If it weren't for Akiyama Keisuke, he might not have even remembered to learn martial arts, and wouldn't have developed his own fighting system so quickly.
Moreover, Akiyama Keisuke had been quite considerate of him during this time.
This small request, both morally and logically, shouldn't be refused.
The next day.
Many students at the Aoki Dojo gathered together, chatting in small groups.
After a while, Mizuno Kengo led Akiyama Keisuke into the training room and said bluntly, "Today we'll have practical training!"
Aoki looked in the direction of the voice.
This was the first time he had seen Mizuno Kengo since he first entered the Aoki Dojo.
In just a few days, Mizuno Kengo looked more than ten years older; his hair had turned white, and his face was weathered.
Mizuno Kengo said, "Now we'll start with the group assignments: Hane Takeshi and Yasui Mitsuki, Oura Shunsuke and Kunikawa Yasuo... Aomura and Fujita Nariyuki..."
Hearing his name, Aoki looked towards a muscular young man at the front of the training room.
Fujita Nariyuki—he had heard of this name before; a senior student, said to be among the top five in strength among all the current students.
Fujita Nariyuki also looked at Aoki.
Their eyes met.
He grinned, his gaze filled with aggression.
"First time participating in sparring, and I'm already matched with such a strong opponent?"
Aoki exclaimed, though he didn't really feel anything special.
Compared to Aoki's solitary figure, Fujita Nariyuki's group was much more lively.
"Aomura? I remember he only joined the dojo not long ago, right? Has he learned the basic moves yet?"
"Fujita Nariyuki picked an easy target this time!"
Fujita Nariyuki crossed his arms and said nonchalantly, "Actually, I'd rather fight a master. What's the point of beating up this newbie?"
"Don't be careless. There must be a reason why the teacher arranged it this way. At least his physique isn't bad!"
"What reason could there be? He wants to teach that guy a lesson! Wearing that lousy hat all the time, I'm fed up with it, let alone the teacher!"
A plump young man interrupted their argument.
"Come on, place your bets! How long will Fujita's fight with the newbie last? Five minutes, three minutes, or, one minute?"
Everyone became interested.
"Three minutes! The fight will definitely be over in three minutes!"
"Three minutes my ass! I think Cheng Yong can take down that newbie in a minute!"
Fujita Cheng Yong took out ten thousand yuan and slapped it into the hand of the chubby young man, instantly attracting everyone's attention.
"Fujita, this is against the rules!" The chubby young man shook his head and pushed the money back, but
Fujita Cheng Yong didn't take it: "I bet 30 seconds!"
"Very confident." The chubby young man smiled and took the money.
Akiyama Keisuke said worriedly, "Teacher, isn't it too aggressive to let Aomura face Fujita Cheng Yong in the first practical training? Aomura has no practical experience after all."
Mizuno Kengo said, "How can you see true strength without a strong enough enemy? If Aomura really reaches the level you described, even if he lacks experience, he can still fight Fujita Cheng Yong."
Akiyama Keisuke knew that things were already set in stone and could only pray that his junior brother Aomura would perform to his full potential and inject some vitality into his master's gradually depleted spirit.
The practical training proceeded quickly.
Unlike a ring match, this kind of competition doesn't last for multiple rounds; the outcome is often decided in a short time.
"Next match: Aomura vs. Fujita Shigeyu!"
Hearing Keisuke Akiyama's voice, Aoki stood up, removed his straw hat, and walked into the arena.
All eyes were drawn to him, and a commotion erupted in the training hall.
"Huh? That's Aomura?"
"Damn! I always thought Aomura wore a straw hat because of a physical defect, turns out it's because he's too handsome!"
"Well, not bad, I don't think so. Wow, handsome!"
Fujita Nariyuki was also stunned for a moment, a hint of jealousy appearing on his face as he grinned, "Rookie, protect your face, I love slapping faces."
"Heh," Aoki replied.
For some reasonFujita Nariyuki felt a surge of anger.
"Battle begins!"
As soon as Keisuke Akiyama finished speaking Fujita Nariyuki charged forward, a straight punch like a javelin aimed at Aoki's face.
Aoki slightly shifted his body, dodging Fujita Nariyuki's fist, then instead of retreating, he advanced, taking a step forward and instantly closing the distance between them.
"Aoki Style, Storm!"
Storm means as violent as a gale, as dense as a downpour.
Fists, elbows, legs, knees… his entire body transformed into deadly weapons, like the fiercest storm, instantly engulfing Fujita Seiyu.
In less than three seconds, Aoki withdrew his fist and retreated.
Fujita Seiyu's body crashed to the ground.
The training hall suddenly became deathly quiet.
"Teacher, Keisuke-senpai, I have something to attend to, so I'll be leaving now."
Aoki picked up his sun hat, said goodbye to the two, and left the training room.
Only then did the others gradually come to their senses.
Akiyama Keisuke rushed to Fujita Seiyu's side, checking him over before finally relaxing.
"Thank goodness, he's still alive."
Aomura's attack had been terrifying; just watching it was chilling.
He had been genuinely worried that Fujita Seiyu had been killed.
The training room grew increasingly noisy.
"What happened? What happened? I just yawned, and Fujita Nariyuki collapsed?"
"Holy crap! That's terrifying! That's terrifying! I can't even breathe just watching!"
"What move did Aomura use? Was it our Aoki style? I've never seen it before!"
"Are you stupid? How could that be Aoki style?"
"You're the stupid one! That's Aoki style! If you can't tell, you're not good enough!"
Mizuno Kengo looked somewhat dazed.
It was indeed Aoki style.
The punching style, the transitions between moves, etc., were all completely Aoki style.
But it wasn't Aoki style.
Because Aoki style didn't have such a violent move.
Fujita Nariyuki's friends were all dumbfounded.
How could someone who was clearly an easy target suddenly become a terrifying Tyrannosaurus Rex that could eat people?
The chubby young man looked strange.
How long did this fight last? Three seconds? Five seconds? It definitely wasn't ten seconds!
He'd hit the jackpot!
However, the process and outcome of the battle were completely contrary to expectations!
The portly young man also remembered something else.
Fujita Nariyuki had also made a fortune.
However, he wondered if Fujita still wanted the money? After learning this, was he happy or sad?
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(End of Chapter)