As dawn broke in the Valley, the clan gathered in the clearing, eager to begin their inaugural training session. Seimei gave them a cursory once-over, analyzing their physiques and gauging their strengths.
"Good morning everyone. Thank you for agreeing to this training session, even though all of you are consummate fighters in your own rights. I aim to teach you Tao detection and usage as well as enhance your fighting abilities. We will train for 2 hours every morning before breakfast for the next three weeks or so."
The corners of his lips quirked.
"So now, I want our trainees to attack me as a group."
While he spoke, he passed a sword to Yuzuriha and Gabimaru, respectively.
The mortals looked at each other and back at Seimei, confusion and apprehensiveness etched on their faces.
Attack Seimei? Ala what Gabimaru did yesterday?
"But...you were wounded yesterday by Gabimaru....are you sure you have recovered enough to take on all 7 of us? I don't want to take advantage of a convalescent."
Seimei chuckled softly at Gantetsusai's query and drawn sword. The Sword Dargon's eager stance belied his apparent concern for Seimei's well-being.
"You're so sweet to me. Shall we find out if your concerns are valid? By the way, Gabimaru and Yuzuriha, I want you to use the swords."
The ensuing fight was brief yet intense. As Seimei had expected, Gantetsusai and Nurugai were the weakest links of the group when it came to Tao detection. In fact, their abilities to sense energy waves were practically non-existent. They resorted to swinging their swords aimlessly to ward off the invisible attacks. Still, they ended up getting whacked and exhausting themselves.
On the other hand, Seimei was highly impressed by Shion and Sagiri, especially his little samurai, who was using the Ice Dragon techniques with greater ease and finesse than yesterday. As a matter of fact, Shion had blended the Ice Dragon style with his usual Tameshi Ittō-ryū kenjutsu seamlessly, thus leveraging the strengths of each style to offset the weaknesses and minimize physical exertion. As a result, his motions were significantly more lethal and rapid.
Pride swelled in Seimei at Shion's keen intelligence and ability to think and improvise his fighting techniques even during a battle. Coupled with his greatly heightened senses, Shion soon became the only one actively and effectively fighting against Seimei. In contrast, the others either lagged due to exhaustion or merely shadowed the samurai (as it was easier than detecting Seimei's Tao themselves).
He's a true leader in the making, no doubt about that.
Satisfied that he had gathered enough evidence to confirm his initial impression about their skills, Seimei decided to end the test battle. He leaped into the air and blasted a powerful energy force that swept everyone off their feet. Except for Sagiri and, of course, Shion, who executed a graceful somersault to avoid the wave.
"Well, that was truly enjoyable. Here's today's training plan—Shion, I want you and Saito to train Yuzuriha and Gabimaru in swordsmanship. They excel in hand-to-hand combat, but their sword skills are a little sloppy. Asahi and Harume will work with Sagiri and Fuchi to enhance their Tao sensing abilities. While, as stated yesterday, Nurugai and Gantetsusai will be under my tutelage."
Excited chatter filled the air and Seimei overheard Yuzuriha's proclamation that she wanted to train with a hot Sensei. He grinned inwardly at the bold kunoishi.
"We will regroup here after 2 hours. Let's begin and enjoy your training. Just remember: no blood, though some bruises are permitted."
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YOU ARE READING
A Love Beyond Time
Fanfiction"Sagiri." Shion turned to the young lady beside him, a soft smile of quiet bliss and wonderment adorning his handsome face. "Have you ever, ever imagined that things would turn out this way when we embarked on that assignment to Shinsekyo those year...
