The Ichimōnban Training Hall was silent.

  Not the usual silence of the te night—this was a different kind. A silence before a storm.

  Watari stood at the center of the training grounds, gripping Takemikazuchi in his hands. His breaths were steady, but there was a flicker of something in his eyes.

  Determination.

  Resolve.

  Captain Masaki Hiroto stood opposite him, arms folded. He studied Watari carefully, his expression unreadable. Then, after a long pause, he exhaled.

  “Step forward.”

  Watari did.

  Masaki tilted his head slightly. “You seem different today.”

  Watari rolled his shoulders, gripping his bde tighter. “Yeah. I think I finally get it now.”

  Masaki’s gaze sharpened. Then, with a faint smirk—“Show me.”

  The moment the words left his mouth—

  Watari moved.

  Faster than before. Smoother. Sharper.

  Takemikazuchi surged with energy, but this time, it wasn’t just brute force. The arcs of lightning crackled with precision. Controlled. Banced.

  Masaki stepped into his stance, meeting the attack head-on.

  Their bdes cshed—

  And Watari didn’t flinch.

  He wasn’t just reacting anymore. He was flowing.

  The Hayashi Bde was meant to be an extension of the self.

  For the first time—he felt it.

  Masaki’s eyes flickered with approval. “So, you finally understand.”

  He pushed forward, testing Watari’s bance. But this time, Watari adjusted. His footwork was cleaner. He wasn’t just attacking wildly—he was fighting with intent.

  Masaki swung—a sharp, lightning-fast arc.

  Watari ducked. Pivoted. Stepped into the motion.

  Then—

  A fsh.

  A single strike.

  Takemikazuchi cut through the air, perfectly timed.

  Masaki’s bde flew from his hands.

  For the first time—Watari stood victorious.

  Masaki exhaled. Then—

  A small chuckle.

  “…You finally learned something important, didn’t you?”

  Watari, still catching his breath, gave a small nod.

  Masaki picked up his bde, twirling it once before resting it against his shoulder.

  “Good.”

  A pause.

  “Because you’re going to need it.”

  Watari frowned slightly. “What do you mean?”

  Masaki’s expression darkened. A storm loomed in his eyes.

  “…Now it’s time for your real training to begin.”

  A single gust of wind blew through the training hall.

  And then—

  HARD CUT TO BLACK.