The morning haze of the Jungle of Time was thick and golden, with air humming with life. Insects chirped, birds flew high and the energy was active and intense. The distorted sunlight from the slowed time shimmered over the trees like glass.
Kaizo stood ahead of Yumi, arms folded, as the two began the next lesson in Zenshin.
Kaizo (instructor-like, calm): “Alright, Flatline. You’ve learned Meikai and Kakushin. Now it’s time for the most common method of Zenshin—Kensei.”
Yumi (tilting her head, curious but cautious): “Kensei…?”
Kaizo (nodding): “It’s the method that uses intense physical training and stress to push your body beyond its limits. The stronger you get, the brighter it glows. Once you see a white light on your arms or legs—Kensei’s active. When it is, your body’s speed and power go far past human boundaries.”
Kaizo (looking at us, the audience; whispering): “And I know what you're thinking. Doesn’t this sound a little too similar to Armament Haki from One Piece. And I say, “Shush.”
He walked up to a nearby tree, giving it a solid punch. The trunk shook violently.
Kaizo (smirking slightly): “Normally, you’d train by strengthening your arms and legs, then run laps until your Kensei builds up. But…”
He paused and his grin turned faintly menacing.
Kaizo (deadpan, but teasing): “…you’re getting the Nekodaira method. The one my grandfather made me suffer through.”
Yumi (nervous laugh): “That doesn’t sound encouraging at all…”
Kaizo (playfully dark): “Good. It shouldn’t.”
For the rest of the day, Yumi endured one grueling session after another.
Strength drills: punching through bark until her knuckles burned.
Speed tests: racing through the dense jungle while Kaizo timed her with a wooden stopwatch.
You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.
Agility trials: sprinting between falling branches as Kaizo swung a stick near her ankles to keep her light on her feet.
But the worst of it came later—
Kaizo (grinning as he laid a mat on the ground): “The plank challenge.”
Yumi (raising an eyebrow, already suspicious): “That doesn’t sound too bad—”
Kaizo (interrupting, still smirking): “Without your thumbs.”
Yumi froze.
Kaizo (explaining matter-of-factly): “It’s a technique my grandfather came up with. Without your thumbs, you rely only on your four fingers. It’s painful, but it accelerates Kensei activation. Builds endurance like nothing else.”
Ten seconds in, Yumi was already shaking.
Yumi (straining): “K-Kaizo—how long has it been!?”
Kaizo (checking the time): “...Ten seconds.”
Yumi (groaning loudly): “You’re kidding me!”
Kaizo (smirking): “Nope. Keep holding it.”
The minutes crawled. Sweat dripped down her face, and her arms trembled violently. Then—something flickered. A faint white glow sputtered along her forearms, pulsing in and out.
Kaizo (watching closely, impressed): “Good. That’s it. You’re right there, Yumi. Keep going.”
Though the glow faded after a few seconds, he could tell from her rhythm that Kensei was close to awakening.
Later, as Yumi collapsed beside a rock, catching her breath, Kaizo sat cross-legged nearby.
He closed his eyes and exhaled slowly.
Almost instantly, the black shimmer of aura began to rise from his body—subtle and pulsing.
Kaizo (focused, muttering to himself): “Alright… let’s see if I can link it.”
He activated his own Kensei, the white light tracing up his arms. For a fleeting moment, the two forces—white and black—merged. His body felt impossibly balanced, perfectly tuned between raw strength and refined control.
Kaizo (grinning slightly): “Heh… so it can be done.”
The effect only lasted a minute before fading, but he could already tell—this was the start of something much bigger.
Yumi (sitting up, watching him): “You’re at it again, huh?”
Kaizo (chuckling): “Always. Someone has to stay a few steps ahead.”
She smiled faintly, exhausted but motivated.
Kaizo (thinking, proud): “She’s tough. A few more days, and she’ll be ready for full Kensei.”
The Jungle of Time glowed brighter in the distance, the day coming to a strange, still close.
