The next day, the dedicated Aomori only found time to visit Bang's dojo after completing three commercials, two endorsements, and one interview.
"Aomori-senpai is here!"
"Wow, he brought so many tasty things again!"
Watching the disciples swarm and snatch up the goods Aomori brought, Bang feigned annoyance and said, "What's with all the grabbing? I haven't seen you this energetic during training."
Having grown familiar with him, the disciples knew Bang was a very amiable person, so they weren't too afraid and even joked, "Bang-sensei, if you don't grab some, they'll be gone."
"You little rascals!" Bang chuckled and cursed them lightly, then turned to grumble at Aomori, "You don't need to buy so many things every time you come. We lack nothing here."
"I can't do that. I only come a few times a month, so of course, I have to properly bribe you, Sensei. What if you get angry and expel me from the dojo?" Aomori also joked.
Bang looked at him in surprise and said, "I feel like you've become much more cheerful after just a few days. Before, you were very rigid and uptight during our talks, like an old man."
"Is that so? Maybe I was transformed by your love, Sensei," Aomori replied. Stimulated by Darkrai's nightmare, a lot of his negative emotions had dissipated, and he was gradually rediscovering himself.
"Go on with you!" Bang laughed and scolded, "Everything in excess is bad. Don't go becoming slick and glib."
"Understood, Bang-sensei."
The two went back inside, sat down, and continued to chat while sipping hot tea.
"Bang-sensei, where is Garou-senpai?" Aomori hadn't been able to find Garou since he arrived.
"Garou? He's preparing for the Martial Arts Tournament nine days from now. He hasn't shown his face in days. He really wants to defeat you, you know," Bang said, aware of the love-hate rivalry between him and Garou.
"I won't lose." Although he said this, Garou had his plot armor that let him grow stronger through injury. He was sure his victory would not be without complications.
Moreover, for convenience, he had mainly been using his Swordsmanship in recent battles, and the number of times he used Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist had greatly decreased. Consequently, his proficiency had stagnated for a long time.
"Bang-sensei, I feel like I've hit a bottleneck. How should I improve next?" Aomori asked directly.
"A bottleneck, eh." Bang took a sip of tea and elaborated, "Your Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist is already very proficient. Aside from the long, slow, grinding work ahead and gaining more combat experience, I don't have a good solution. It took me ten years to fully master the Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist and reach the state of 'Perfection.'"
"Ten years?" In ten years, he could probably destroy the world with a single punch.
"Is there a faster way?"
"You young people are all too impatient. Martial arts are not something that can be achieved overnight," Bang chastised him, then added, "Actually, you don't necessarily have to be constrained by the Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist. Everyone's path in martial arts is different. My Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist is a fighting style I created. It is the best for me, but it may not be suitable for you."
"When I was young, I was arrogant and aggressive, showcasing my lethal potential. I used the 'Exploding Heart Release Fist,' which pursued slaughter. Later, under the guidance of my dear older brother, I had a sudden realization and stopped indulging in killing. So, I abandoned the Exploding Heart Release Fist and created the Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist, which emphasizes defense. This is what's called Fist Intent Illumines the Heart; what you think in your heart will manifest in your fist intent. Only when the fist intent aligns with the style can you unleash a hundred percent of its power."
"Fist Intent Illumines the Heart..."
Aomori had an epiphany. He had been so focused on efficiency in monster slaying that he immediately abandoned the Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist once he learned the more lethal Swordsmanship.
The low proficiency wasn't because of his poor talent; it was because the style was not compatible with him.
Bang truly deserved to be called a martial arts master. Just a few words had cleared his confusion.
"Thank you, Bang-sensei, for clearing up my confusion!" Aomori stood up, cupped his fist in a bow, and offered his sincere gratitude.
Bang waved his hand, "Don't thank me. With your aptitude, you would have understood sooner or later. I just told you in advance."
"Regardless, I still need to thank you."
Aomori paused, then asked, "So, am I supposed to create my own style based on my fist intent next?"
"Hahahaha." Bang chuckled and said, "One who creates a school can be called a Martial Arts Grandmaster. That is still too early for you. Focus on mastering your fist intent first."
"Mastering fist intent?"
"It means that the punches you throw can contain your will." Bang suddenly stood up and said to Aomori, "Talking about it might not be illustrative enough. Would you like to spar with this old man?"
"Spar with you, Bang-sensei?" A wave of excitement flashed through him, and Aomori blurted out, "I couldn't ask for more!"
"Let's go outside. Let these slackers witness the true prowess of a martial artist!"
"Alright, if you're not afraid of losing face, Sensei."
"You brat! Don't you dare call for a stop later!"
News of Bang and Aomori sparring spread like wildfire.
The entire dojo erupted in excitement. Many disciples had only heard how incredibly strong Bang was, but very few had actually witnessed him fight.
A busybody went to find Garou, who was deep in solitary training, and informed him of the news.
"What? The old man is going to fight Aomori?" Garou immediately sprinted back to the training grounds.
When he arrived, Bang and Aomori hadn't started yet. Garou breathed a sigh of relief and prepared to watch intently, though he said outwardly, "It's been a long time since the old man hit me. I wonder if his old bones can still move."
On the outdoor training ground, Bang and Aomori stood opposite each other, left and right.
To allow for easy movement, Aomori had changed into a loose training uniform.
Bang, however, simply stripped off his top, revealing a scarred and well-muscled torso that made the surrounding disciples gulp. He stretched his limbs, which cracked loudly, and sighed, "It's been a long time since I've done this. I feel like my bones are rusting."
"Then take it easy, Sensei. Hurting your back would be trouble," Aomori teased but secretly raised his full vigilance. No one knew better than him how terrifying the power contained in that seemingly frail, elderly body was.
"Don't worry. Bring out your full power. The old man still needs to move around once in a while," Bang finished twisting his neck and beckoned to Aomori, "You attack first."
Is it starting? Everyone held their breath; no one spoke.
Thunder Breathing Second Stage: Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist!
Aomori went all out from the start. Lightning flashed under his feet, shattering the floor. Amidst the flying debris, he was already in front of Bang. Stomping one foot into the ground as if rooting himself, his fists shot out like successive cannonballs, one following the other.
Compared to the gentle, steady flow of the original Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist, his current version was more like a mighty, surging torrent rushing toward the sea of no return!
Just as the giant wave was about to crash upon him, Bang's eyes sharpened. His hands moved later but arrived first, splitting the torrent down the middle and easily blocking Aomori's attack. At the same time, he drove his knee upward from the front with the sudden force of a rocket boost.
Aomori, with his mind completely concentrated, sensed the blow. He straightened his spine and twisted his waist, pulling his body back one step, narrowly dodging the knee strike. Using the momentum of his rotation, he quickly raised his foot before Bang could retract his leg and kicked toward his abdomen.
However, Bang seemed to know this would happen. One hand batted Aomori's foot away, and as the other hand moved to strike his body, Aomori had already used the force of Bang's block to spring away.
A few simple movements, yet they left the onlookers yearning for more; there was an indescribable beauty to the flow.
Aomori landed and repositioned himself in front of two craters, seeing Bang assume the stance of the Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist.
"Warm-up finished. Next, I'm getting serious."
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You can read the ahead chapter on Patr-eon if you're interested: p-atre-on.c-om/Overgod [Just remove the hyphen to access normally]