Chained Soldier and Still Waters

Chapter 88

Currently everyone was seen conducting their own training. As Yuuki was busy cleaning the dorm, he began to think about Nagisa's words to him. The reason he didn't train Yuuki personally was because he didn't want his friend to harm himself by trying to take on more than he can handle. Yuuki understood Nagisa's reasoning, but was seen tightly clenching his fists.

"Am I really that pathetic?"

"So you feel like you're getting left behind?"

Just as Yuuki heard this new voice, he suddenly turned around as he saw a complete stranger standing before him. He was an old, yet muscular man. He had a long, white beard as the top of his head was bald. The old man was wearing a classic-style green on blue martial arts robe as he looked at the boy in front of him.

"It's mortifying, isn't it? Seeing someone younger than you doing the things you wish you could do with ease and yielding far better results. When in the face of such genius, it's normal to feel despair."

"......I....i'm happy for Nagisa. He wasn't always one to talk about himself and how he was feeling. Now, he's being more open. He's being relied on more and more as he keeps reaching greater heights. Despite us both being part of a unit in the Anti-Demon Corps as men, despite me being older.....I feel so useless when i'm around him. To the point I even feel like my best is never enough. I don't want to hate Nagisa, but I hate this feeling I have!"

"STOP CRYING!"

As the old man said this, he sent Yuuki flying into the back part of the dormitory. While the young boy was having trouble getting up, he noticed the old man looking at him as if he was sizing him up. After a sigh escaped from his lips, the old man simply took a stance as he looked at the boy in front of him.

"Nagisa, he told me that you would be a worthy successor, you know. He believed that you could do so much more with just proper guidance and a goal. That's why he asked for me to train you."

"Nagi did....but why?"

"Why did he ask me to train you? Hell if I know, he just told me I would find a worthy successor here. Though, he did tell me one thing about you, Wakura Yuuki."

"Why do I want you to train Yuuki? Just like you don't need a reason to look out for Bang, I don't need a reason to look out for Yuuki. I'm doing it because I have faith in him and want him prosper. Plus, he saved me after I lost my sister. This is the best way I can think of thanking him."

As Bomb remembered Nagisa's words, he took a look at Yuuki's eyes. He could see the desire to grow stronger burning bright. With a sigh escaping from his lips, Bomb simply walked outside of the dormitory. While doing so, he took a glance over his shoulder as he had one question for Yuuki.

"So brat, are you ready to become a human weapon?"

"Nagisa....is this how you also got stronger? How you were able to protect the ones you cherished. If I were to get serious and train as hard as you do.....can I also be someone as reliable as you. Can I be a senior that YOU can rely on?"

"Yes! Please, help me to get stronger! To support Kyouka-san, to protect the 7th unit, to be a better person that Nagisa can rely on.....make me stronger!"

"Alright brat, Master Bomb is gonna take you for a loop. After all, i'm not as kind as my brother!"

~The Next Day~
While the Seventh and Eighth Units were training, the sound of fists colliding with boulders could be heard. In the back part of the dormitory stood two people. As Bomb was seen standing in front of a boulder that was now reduced to mere pebbles, Yuuki was seen breathing heavily as the boulder in front of him barely had any signs of his attacks.

"Your slave form is powerful, but you rely on it too much, brat. There are plenty of reasons why Nagisa is ahead of you despite possessing no powers. The first one being his foundation. Nagisa understands his foundation and polished the basics. Afterwards, he found what he was best at and honed it to the highest grade."

"So Nagi does training like this on the daily?"

"Knowing him, he probably does something more intense. Unlike you, he had years upon years of training by my brother when he was saved. So not only did he have a foundation, he also had the time to hone it. Now he has a body that can withstand harsh training as well as performing the actions he wants to make. Luckily for us, the flow of time in Shangri-La is different from the outside world. So we have time to focus on your foundation. Plus it just so happens that Nagisa found a solid foundation for you."

Just as Bomb said this, he walked in front of Yuuki as he took a stance, motioning for Yuuki to do the same. While they were in the stance, Bomb took the initiative as his hand now resembled the stance used in Southern Dragon Kung Fu. Within the blink of an eye, Yuuki saw the boulder in front of him sliced apart and pushed forward.

"Amazing......."

"Fist of Whirling Wind, Slashing Steel. This style revolves around manipulating the air to create razor-sharp whirlwind pressures that slices our targets. Tell me brat, have you ever felt it? Have you felt like being one with the wind? Enjoying the gentle breeze or feeling the pressure of it when traveling dangerous speeds."

"Actually, now that you mention it. I felt it whenever Himari and I work together. Along with Chief Yakumo too. Plus watching Chief Konomi fight made me want to incorporate martial arts with my forms."

"That's why Nagisa wanted me to teach you.  He already figured out your interest and what you worked best with. Couple my martial arts with forms that increase your speed and you have a monster that can slice you apart before you can blink. Ok brat, let's keep it going! By the time we exit Shangri-La, you won't even remember the old you anymore!"

"Yes, Master Bomb!"

"Nagisa....you're amazing. There's no denying that. I don't know if i've been a good friend or someone reliable to you, but I won't let this opportunity you have me go to waste. I promise, I won't let you shoulder anything alone. I'll be strong enough for you to rely on me, just watch!"

As Yuuki ran over to the next boulder, he began to take the same stance as Bomb as he tried to break apart the boulder. However, while this was happening, he was unaware of the young woman that was watching him from afar. Watching him train so hard in order to improve.