One Month Later - Forest Near Kyoto]
Andrew crashed into a tree, the impact knocking the wind out of him. Before he could recover, Kuroka was there, her palm pressed against his chest.
Kuroka: "Dead. Again. That's the fifth time today."
Andrew groaned, pushing himself up. His body ached from weeks of relentless training.
Kuroka: "You're getting better, but you're still telegraphing your moves. I can see your punches coming from a mile away."
Andrew: (breathing hard) "Then how do I fix it?"
Kuroka: "Stop thinking so much. Fighting isn't about planning every move. It's about feeling. Reacting. Letting your instincts guide you."
She stepped back, dropping into a stance.
Kuroka: "Again. And this time, don't think. Just move."
Andrew stood, his Saiyan body already recovering from the beating. He took a breath, centered himself, and attacked.
This time, he didn't plan his strikes. He let his body move on instinct—dodge left, counter with a jab, pivot right, sweep low.
Kuroka blocked most of it, but one punch slipped through her guard and tapped her shoulder.
She blinked, then grinned.
Kuroka: "There we go! That's what I'm talking about!"
Andrew collapsed onto the grass, exhausted but satisfied.
Kuroka: "You're a fast learner, kid. At this rate, you'll be dangerous in a few years."
Andrew: (managing a smile) "Only a few years?"
Kuroka: (laughing) "Don't get cocky. You're still twelve."
Andrew: "Eleven, actually."
Kuroka: "Even worse. Now come on. We're working on senjutsu next."
Andrew groaned but stood anyway.
This training is brutal. But it's working. I can feel myself getting stronger every day.
[Evening - By the Campfire]
They sat by a fire, cooking dinner. Andrew had learned that Kuroka was surprisingly good at survival skills—hunting, cooking, finding shelter.
Andrew: "Can I ask you something?"
Kuroka: "Depends on the question."
Andrew: "Why did you really run? What happened?"
Kuroka's expression darkened. For a moment, Andrew thought she wouldn't answer.
Kuroka: "I had a little sister. Shirone. She was born with the same powers I have—Nekoshou abilities. Our master he was experimenting on us. Trying to extract our power for his own use."
Her fists clenched.
Kuroka: "I could handle it. But when he started targeting Shirone… I couldn't let that happen. So I killed him. And I ran."
Andrew: "Where's your sister now?"
Kuroka: "Safe. With someone who won't hurt her." Her voice was barely a whisper. "But she probably hates me now. Thinks I'm a monster."
Andrew was quiet for a moment.
Andrew: "You're not a monster. You protected someone you love. That's not monstrous. That's… that's what strong people do."
Kuroka looked at him, her yellow eyes glistening slightly.
Kuroka: "You really believe that?"
Andrew: "Yeah. I do."
She smiled genuinely this time, without the playful edge.
Kuroka: "Thanks, kid. You're alright."
They sat in comfortable silence, the fire crackling between them.