Volunteer 1: "Who does that guy think he is?"
Volunteer 2: "He does it every year. He let's this whole thing go to his head."
Volunteer 3: "Yeah, he should just retire his position already. Ain't that right, Teacher Shintei?
Shintei: "You lot better shit your mouths. I seriously will cut your pay. I'll use it to build a statue of me before I retire."
Shintei crosses his arms with a smug smile on his face, fantasizing about having his own statue. His slickedback hair, and mustache flow in the imaginary wind.
Volunteer 4: "That's why there's no real construction workers here, just volunteers. He's cheap!"
Shintei: "I'm the mayor of this island and I will not take such disrespect! None of you are getting paid!"
Shintei storms off with his mustache furrowed in anger. All the volunteers watch him walk off.
All Volunteers: "WE WEREN'T GETTING PAYED IN THE FIRST PLACE!"
Shintei: "Jeez, everyone's so tense today. It's not like it's an important day or anything, I'm not retiring. They should all be leaping with joy."
...
A smooth brown wooden fence closes off a large section of the hills. There is one main entrance leading up from the town. The sign reads "The Dojo of Self".
Within the dojo sits a group of a dozen students. They all have their heads lowered as a booming voice calls out.
???: "Listen up, today is the most important day of the year. Brock here, needs to warm up for today's tournament. You all need to serve as good practice. No holding back, understand?"
Students: "Yes, Master Salb!"
The students all raise their heads to meet Brock's gaze. He's a looming giant. Easily 10 feet tall, and probably 6 feet wide. His veins twitch as his muscles instinctively harden as he waits to be attacked. His black hair standing straight up like a wall.
Brock: "You heard, Master Salb. Come at me, brats!"
The kids would all dash at him, some attacking his legs, some jump for his neck, some sneak around behind.
Salb: "Don't hurt them too bad, Brock. They're all you can train with today. We can't have any chance of you getting hurt. It's time to take more of this island and prove the dominance of the 'Body Clan'."
Brock: "Yes, Master Salb!'
...
Behind "Central Village" lies a vast forest. Within this forest sits a waterfall and behind it a sign that reads "The Dojo of Renewal".
A tall and lanky old man walks across a rocky floor, then down a dark path leading further down into the cavern. His blindfold ensures that his eyes see nothing, yet he traverses without hesitation.
???: "He should be done by now, if not than his mind is simply...inferior."
The old man arrives at a chamber with a large boulder pressed against a hole in the wall.
The old man brushes his fingers against the boulder, then a few seconds later it rolls a few feet away revealing the dark and hidden lake behind it.
???: "Thank you once again for moving, my friend."
The old man steps into the now revealed room and claps while he walks into the darkness and takes a few steps. He feels the lack of emotion from the only presence in the room suddenly a rock flies down through the air over his head. The old man simply moves out of the way and catches the rock in his palm.
???: "I see you've succeeded, Enlit. The ability to erase your emotions and intentions is now yours. You are a worthy successor of your brother. It was a shame what happened to him years ago, let's never feel such loss again."
Enlit drops down from the ceiling. His spiky, golden hair is a stark contrast to the black blindfold. A angry look crosses his face.
Enlit: "The man who walked in here died, the man I walk out is a new one. I no longer thirst for vengeance, instead I thirst for Justice. I will pave the future whilst correcting the past, Master Shui!"
...
Built on the windy plains sits a large dojo. It's deep red color a stark contrast to the surrounding grass. Training dummies blow gently in the breeze as the sound of wood clashing together booms from inside.
Inside pairs of students spar standing right across from another . Shinai's swing wildly, yet precisely through the air to attack or deflect incoming strikes. A girl with dark red hair paces around the room in circles examining them.
Scarlet: "You're all moving your blades much too much. You need to keep it close and tight, if you ever go against an opponent more skilled than you, they'll abuse that fall until your head rolls on the floor. Make sure to keep a wide stance, balance is everything, especially when wielding a blade."
Scarlet's hand sits idly on her Odachi, practically feining for a reason to use it.
Someone emerges from the upstairs. With each step taken towards the ground the air grew heavier with bloodlust filled the room. The hair on the back of the children's necks stood up as footsteps arrive on the floor.
???: "That's sound advice, Scarlet. Teaching is the best way to learn. Hopefully you've learned enough for this years Championship."
Scarlet: "Of course I have, Master Polka. I won last year, didn't I? I've kept up with my training too. I'll never lose again."
Polka: "Never lose again, huh? Your ego will be the death of you. You haven't seen enough of the world to be that confident. Even with all that you've gone through. Your last bit of training begins now. You and I will duel. Kids, go get cleaned up and sit outside. We can all learn something from this.
Polka would grab a bokken from the wall and head outside. Her long, curly green hair flows in the wind.
Polka: "You can use that blade of yours, Scarlet. I don't plan on getting hit."
Scarlet: "Hmph. Don't be mad when Michibiku Hoshi slices you into two."
Over the next couple of minutes Polka and Scarlet would stand across from each other out in the field. The children all sit nearby ready to watch. They mumble between eachother betting who's gonna win.
Polka: "we'll start the next time the wind blows, understood?
Start of Scarlet's POV...
Scarlet: "Yeah, I got it."
I drop the top half of my kimono revealing my bandaged chest and my missing left arm. My right hand sits on the handle of my Odachi. I keep my eyes on Master Polka as I wait for the wind to blow. The murmurs of the children in the crowd go right in one ear and out the other.
We stand off for a couple of minutes as the wind blows. My concentration never wavers. As soon as it blows I draw my Odachi and kick off the ground towards her.
Scarlet: "Lance Crash!"
I swing my Odachi down over her head looking to slice right through her. Right as my blade is about to meet her hair the wind stops. She narrowly turns her body out of the way and parries my strike off to the bottom left. I'm swiftly greeted with a slice on my side as she seems to dash straight past me.
Polka: "Quickstep!"
Polka: "Attacking so aggressively with the wind going against you isn't smart, kid. You're too cocky."
As I turn around to swing my blade at her I'm met with her bokken flying towards my face. I parry her attack upwards
Scarlet: "Shielding Strike!"
I pull my right arm back in preparation of shooting past her. I do just that. I dash right past her left side narrowly dodging the swing she took at my back. I swing my blade around widely through the air.
Scarlet: "River's Sweep!"
I send out a very faint flying slash that breaks her bokken into pieces. Using the debris and dissipation of my attack against me I'm swiftly met with a strike from the handle to the back of my head. I collapse. I hear the sound of the children cheering as I fall unconscious.
End of Scarlet's POV...
Polka: "You're going to need that extra rest, child. Perhaps you will stop messing around when you realize other people get stronger as well."
The children continue to cheer for their Master's victory for defeating their strict teacher. Polka turns towards her students.
Polka: "Now unless you all want to end up like her go back inside and continue practicing."
They all are quickly reminded where Scarlet got her teaching skills from. They all hurry back inside afraid of being clobbered next.
...
Sokai sits out on her deck watching Noah and Azar spar on the beach.
Sokai: "That boy can never sit still for long can he? He gave up meditating after falling asleep for the 10th time. Ever since then he's been incredibly active. It's also help his body heal correctly too. That boy is odd, yet he feels reliable. Don't fail me, or else I can't say 'thank you'."
Down on the beach Noah and Azar continue to spar.
Azar: "You're going to need to put in more effort than that to beat me."
Each time Azar throws a punch an audible sizzle emerges from his fist.
Azar: "Grilled Brick!"
Azar throws a feint with his right towards Noah's face, so he'll recoil from the heat. He then he cocks back his left and sends it flying towards Noah's stomach
Noah swiftly grabs his wrist as he widens his stance.
Noah: "Gorilla Stength!"
Noah tosses Azar up into the air as he still holds onto his wrist. Noah pulls Azar down as he sends up an uppercut with air swirling around it simultaneously
Noah: "Vulture's Lift!"
Noah's fist slams into Azar's chest even through Azar has his hand in the correct position to block it. Cuts emerge randomly on Azar's hand as he falls face down into the sand unconscious.
Noah: "Even people get lured into a false sense of security. Never get too comfortable, Azar. No matter your relationship with your opponent, they'll always try to beat you."
Noah looks down and realizes Azar is knocked out cold. Noah looks around lost.
Noah: "Well, now who am I suppose to train with? I'm too excited for the Championship tonight. I just can't sit still."
...
End of Chapter 6...