Morning training started before the sun came up.
Kaito stood in the center of the stone room, breathing slowly while sweat dripped from his chin onto the floor.
His fists were raised.
His stance steady.
The energy inside his chest moved like a slow current, flowing through his arms every time he moved.
Punch.
CRACK.
The air shook sharply.
He didn't lose balance.
Didn't shake.
Didn't stumble.
He lowered his fist and nodded to himself.
"…Better."
Tanaka stood across from him, arms crossed.
"Yes."
"That's all I get again?"
"Yes."
Kaito sighed.
"You really don't know any other words."
"No."
"…Unbelievable."
He rolled his shoulders and reset his stance.
Ever since reaching Rank 78, the training had changed.
Less speed.
More control.
Less power.
More precision.
Tanaka corrected every mistake.
Every movement.
Every breath.
If his foot moved wrong, he stopped him.
If his punch used too much strength, he stopped him.
If his energy shook even a little...
He stopped him.
Kaito punched again.
CRACK.
Tanaka shook his head.
"Too much."
"I barely used anything."
"You used more than needed."
"That's because everyone in the Top 100 hits like a truck."
"Yes."
"…Then I need more power."
"You need more control."
Kaito groaned.
"I hate that answer."
Tanaka didn't react.
"Again."
Kaito punched.
CRACK.
Again.
CRACK.
Again.
CRACK.
After the fifth strike, he dropped his arms and exhaled hard.
"…Sensei."
"Yes."
"…When do I get to fight again."
Tanaka looked at him.
"Soon."
"You always say that."
"You always ask."
"…Fair."
Kaito grabbed his towel and wiped his face.
His muscles ached, but not like before.
Not from getting hit.
From pushing too hard.
From trying to control more power than his body wanted to hold.
He clenched his fist slowly.
The air trembled slightly.
Controlled.
But heavy.
"…Top 100 sucks," he muttered.
"Yes."
"I liked it better when I could win more."
"You lost more before."
"…You ruin everything."
Before Tanaka could answer...
A knock came from the door.
Both of them looked over.
An instructor stepped inside.
"Ranking match request."
Kaito blinked.
"…Already?"
Tanaka didn't move.
"Who."
The instructor looked at the paper.
"Rank 78… Arata Kaito."
Kaito smirked.
"…That's me."
The instructor continued.
"Challenged by Rank 71… Daigo Ren."
Kaito froze for a second.
"…Seventy-one."
Tanaka spoke calmly.
"Higher."
"I noticed."
The instructor handed the paper to Tanaka.
"Match approved."
Tanaka nodded once.
"Tomorrow."
Kaito blinked.
"…Tomorrow?!"
"Yes."
"I just got to 78!"
"Yes."
"I need time!"
"No."
Kaito groaned loudly.
"This place is evil."
Tanaka almost smiled.
"Yes."
The instructor left.
The door closed.
Silence filled the room again.
Kaito looked down at his hands.
Then at the floor.
Then at Tanaka.
"…Rank 71… that's close to Top 50."
"Yes."
"That means he's strong."
"Yes."
"That means I might lose."
"Yes."
Kaito smirked slowly.
"…Good."
Tanaka looked at him.
"Yes."
Kaito raised his fists again.
The energy inside his chest moved slowly.
Heavy.
Steady.
Ready.
"…Then I just get stronger."
Tanaka crossed his arms.
"You will need to."
Kaito punched.
CRACK.
"…Tomorrow, huh."
CRACK.
"…Rank 71."
CRACK.
"…Alright."
He smiled slightly.
"…Let's see how far the gap really is."
Outside, near the ranking board, Ryo leaned against the stone railing, looking at the glowing numbers.
Aoi stood beside him.
"He got challenged," she said.
Ryo nodded.
"71."
"He's moving too fast."
Ryo smirked.
"He always does."
Aoi glanced toward the training hall.
"…Sensei approved it."
Ryo laughed quietly.
"He always does."
She looked at the top of the board.
Rank 1.
Then back toward the hall.
"…He's watching him closely."
Ryo shrugged.
"…Of course he is."
He looked toward the door where Kaito was training.
"…He didn't stay here for nothing."