After all his efforts, Tuziku had finally begun his Hakashi training near the base of Mount Yakushi. But before he could learn any powerful combat techniques, he first had to master a unique pattern of movements that would establish his connection to the wind.
Ryōkōjū demonstrated the movements, and Tuziku began practicing them.
After several hours of attempts, Tuziku finally performed the movements correctly.
FWOOOOOO!!
FWOOOO!
"I—I can't believe what I'm witnessing..." Ryōkōjū mumbled, wearing a look of disbelief.
"Boy..."
FWOOOOOO!!
Streams of air swirled around Tuziku's body in large quantities.
"Old man, did I get it right?!" Tuziku asked.
As the old man watched in utter disbelief, he thought to himself...
I've never seen anyone summon such an incredible amount of wind...
This boy...
"That's right. That's exactly it, Tuziku!" He grinned.
"You've passed the first step."
FWOOOOO!!
"That's nice and all..."
"But how do I get this wind to stop swirling around me?!" Tuziku asked.
"Hmm?"
"Oh, that's right!" Ryōkōjū chuckled.
"You simply need to relax your body..."
"Remember how that connection to the wind feels, and simply relax..." he said, stroking his long grey beard.
Tuziku inhaled sharply.
Relax your body...
Fwooo...
Suddenly, within seconds, the streams of air surrounding his body slowly vanished.
"Yes!" Tuziku shouted excitedly, clenching his fists.
"Do not get excited just yet, boy..."
Ryōkōjū approached him.
"The difficult part is yet to come!" He wore a mischievous grin.
That's right...
I can't get excited just yet...!
Tuziku gulped.
Ryōkōjū placed his hands behind his back.
"The next step is to discover your forms."
"My... forms?" Tuziku asked with a confused expression.
The old man took a seat beneath a nearby tree.
"The Hakashi Technique has three forms of power to offer..."
"These three forms determine the types of techniques a Hakashi user can perform."
"I see..." said Tuziku.
"A person can only use two of the three forms due to the unimaginable and unexplainable strain it would put on the human body," Ryōkōjū explained.
"What would happen to the user if they used all three forms?" Tuziku asked.
"It's simply not possible." The old man lifted his head toward the sky.
"Not one person in the history of the Hakashi tribe has been able to unlock all three forms. And even if someone were to, the strain on the human body would certainly kill them!" he explained.
"You would have to possess the body of something out of this world to use all three forms!"
"And that is why it is impossible to master the Hakashi Technique..."
Tuziku clenched his fists.
It's a bit complicated, but this technique is amazing!!
"Now then, before you unlock your forms, you need to learn what they are..." Ryōkōjū said with a serious expression.
Tuziku gazed at him nervously.
"Listen up! These three forms are the power behind this technique..."
"First, Tras—"
"It boosts the user's overall physical abilities several times, depending on their individual strength and training."
"Secondly... Ken!"
"It allows the user to create weapons and certain objects from wind."
That's the ability I saw Prīōra use that one time...
"And lastly, Reō..."
"The rarest and most powerful form..."
"It allows the user to summon natural disasters affiliated with the wind," he said, stroking his beard.
Tuziku's jaw dropped.
Natural... disasters...!
"What kind of natural disasters, Old man?" he asked.
"Well, there isn't anyone in this generation who can use the third form, but our ancestors from the past had a few people who could use it..."
"What I've been told as a child was that it could create giant tornadoes, devastating hurricanes, and massive storms!"
Tuziku's eyes instantly lit up with determination.
"I can't believe how powerful this technique is, Old man!"
Ryōkōjū laughed.
Tuziku approached him.
"Old man, let's continue this training right now!" he shouted.
"Very well..." Ryōkōjū stood to his feet.
Suddenly—
"Ow, ow, ow... my back!" he cried out.
"You should cherish being young, boy...!"
He began performing stretches.
CRACK!
Suddenly, his back cracked.
"Ahh, that feels better!" he chuckled.
Tuziku shrugged.
"Alright, boy..." Ryōkōjū squinted his eyes while slowly stroking his beard.
"The next test is relatively simple."
He pointed toward the tree.
"Summon the wind like you did earlier and use it to blow away all the leaves!" He wore a mischievous grin.
Tuziku panicked.
"W—what are you..."
No...!
Tuziku, you can do this!
Tuziku closed his eyes and exhaled sharply.
First, I have to summon the wind again...
"Come on out right now, wind!" he shouted.
But nothing happened.
"Huh?"
"This should be interesting." Ryōkōjū folded his arms.
His body is now connected to the wind, but he doesn't fully understand how to summon it...
"Old man, how do I summon the wind?" Tuziku asked.
"Sorry, but I can't help you here," Ryōkōjū replied.
"Didn't I tell you to remember the feeling when you summoned the wind earlier?"
Tuziku clicked his teeth.
"Stingy old man!"
Tuziku calmed his mind and tried to remember the feeling he had experienced earlier.
Then, he tried again.
He gritted his teeth and clenched his fist.
Come on, wind!
Come to me...!
Tuziku desperately struggled to summon the wind.
But once again, nothing happened.
"Damn it!" Tuziku snapped.
"This isn't working at all, Old man!" Tuziku shouted.
"Why the hell can't you just help me summon the wind already?!"
Ryōkōjū calmly approached Tuziku.
Then—
BAM!!
He launched a powerful punch toward Tuziku's stomach.
"Guuhhh!!"
Tuziku doubled over, vomiting from the impact.
"I know I might seem like an easy-going old man, and that might be true, but..."
"When it comes to teaching my clan's honored technique... I become terrifyingly strict!"
Ryōkōjū glared at Tuziku, who was kneeling before him on the ground.
"If you don't have what it takes to learn the Hakashi Technique... then leave!" he shouted.
...
Tuziku remained silent.
He's right...
I didn't realize it until now, but...
Ever since I learned that I was about to learn this powerful wind technique, I've become childish and foolish.
...
BAM!
Tuziku punched the rocky earth beneath him.
How stupid!
Blood began dripping from his fingers.
"The Hakashi Technique requires a calm and determined heart in order to draw out its powers..." Ryōkōjū continued.
"So, boy... if you don't get your act together soon, you'll end up making the same mistakes as before!" the old man scolded him.
Suddenly, the traumatic and horrifying memories of his past began flooding his mind.
But this time, he didn't despair.
He felt neither anger nor guilt.
This time, he used those memories to fuel his determination to summon the wind.
He calmed himself and cleared his mind of all unnecessary thoughts.
Soon after...
FWOOOOO!!
FWOOOSSH!
Powerful streams of wind began swirling around his body.
FWOOOO!!
Ryōkōjū grinned proudly.
"That's more like it, boy!"
All I have to do is blow away all those leaves from the tree, right?
Tuziku clenched his fists, wearing a determined expression.
"Alright, let's do this!!"
CHAPTER 44 END