A few moments later…
Team 1 had gathered just outside the village, in a wide-open field where their powers wouldn't risk harming anything—or anyone.
Rei glanced around, stretching her arms. "Alright. What should we do to train our powers?"
Goro tapped his chin. "I think we should focus on using them in combat situations."
Shun tilted his head. "What do you mean by that?"
"He means we should fight each other," Kenshiro said plainly. "And we should go somewhere with more space. Like that training field where we sparred with the Spiritual King before."
Goro nodded. "Sounds good."
Meanwhile, Team 17
Yuna stood tall, arms crossed as the group assembled at the designated training ground.
"As the Spiritual King said—we spar. We have to get stronger."
Azar cracked his knuckles. "So what do you have planned?"
Yuna smiled faintly. "Here's the plan: Azar, I want you and Zanden to spar first. Then, Taro versus Kaien. Jett, you can pick anyone you want to go up against."
Azar grinned. "When do we start?"
"Right now. On this field. And don't worry—if things get out of hand, I'll stop it."
Zanden smirked. "Hope you're ready."
Azar's eyes lit up with fire. "You bet I'm ready."
Elsewhere – In a quiet clearing
Renji unsheathed his sword and turned to Ryju, who stood patiently across from him.
"It's time to awaken your eye, little brother."
Ryju nodded. "Okay."
Renji paused for a moment, then smiled softly. "Also… I just wanted to say—I'm proud of you."
Ryju's expression softened. "Thanks, big bro."
Renji raised his blade. "Now, let's spar."
Ryju, eyes narrowing with determination. "Right."
Spiritual King's Office
Kaji leaned against the wall, watching the Spiritual King pace.
"You sure about this? You seem… worried."
"It's not that I'm worried," the Spiritual King replied, his voice unusually quiet. "It's just… I see so much of Mr. Ryuu in Ryju."
"Well, he is his grandson," Okata said calmly.
"I know…"
Kaji crossed his arms. "You're worried about the students, aren't you?"
"Yes. Especially Team 17. But even more than that—I'm afraid of what might happen if anyone from Team 1 loses control."
"You want me to bring in Mr. Taka?" Okata offered.
The Spiritual King's eyes widened. "No! If he finds out what's going on, he'll march there himself and wipe out everything in a minute."
"True," Okata admitted.
"We need to let the kids handle it. This is their moment—to shine, to grow. They're the future of our village."
"I agree."
Kaji chuckled. "I'm not worried. Those kids got balls."
The Spiritual King smiled wistfully. "I love those kids. If something happened to them… I don't know what I'd do."
Okata crossed his arms. "Then send the sensei in. It's safer."
The Spiritual King shook his head. "No. Especially not Yuna. If she went, she'd die."
"…Why?" Okata asked, brow furrowed.
"She cares too much. If even one of those kids was about to take a fatal blow, she'd jump in without hesitation. She wouldn't think twice."
Okata's eyes lowered. "That's why you don't want her to go."
"She loves children. She lost her own daughter… she was only two."
Kaji winced. "Damn…"
"I don't know the full story," the Spiritual King continued, "but she told me once—if she ever got the chance to be a sensei, she'd protect her students no matter what."
Okata nodded solemnly. "So when you said no sensei should go… you were really talking about her."
"Yeah."
Kaji blinked. "What about me?"
The Spiritual King glanced over. "What about you?"
Okata chuckled. "Yeah, you're not important."
Kaji grumbled. "No—but seriously, they're gonna survive. No doubt about it."
Back in the field – Team 1
Rei looked out at the vast clearing. "This is perfect. We can't even see the village from here—nothing nearby should get destroyed."
"Yeah, good thinking," Kenshiro said, cracking his neck.
"Hold up," Goro interjected. "Isn't your ability a black hole?"
Kenshiro raised a brow. "Yeah."
Goro took a step back. "Wait—but black holes can destroy planets."
"True."
"Then why are we sparring?!"
"I haven't reached that level of power yet," Kenshiro replied casually.
Goro's eye twitched. "Oh. Okay…"
Kenshiro looked up at the sky. "But once I hit full power… I could probably destroy hundreds of universes with a single swing."
Goro blinked. "Let's just hope you never turn evil."
Rei stepped forward. "Let's do this. Kenshiro and Shun—you two go first."
Goro frowned. "Why do we have to go first?"
"Because," Rei said with a sly smile, "we need to know if we can survive a black hole. Just in case."
Kenshiro sighed and drew his weapon. "Let's get this over with."
Goro rolled his shoulders. "Alright then. And remember—don't go easy on me."
"I never planned to."
To be continued…