The Jade Warrior

Building Strength and Feelings

     MK swung multiple times at a wooden post. Wukong sat down watching him train as Y/n stood tall and still. "Don't attack all willy nilly like that. You need to flow with your strikes" Wukong says lazily as he eats a peach.

"So you've said but I don't understand!" MK sighs with frustration as he attacks with speed and precision.

"You are attacking quickly but not sturdily, your attacks are slipping off the target and when they do land the impact is not as much. Slow down. Strike your opponents, with firm sturdy attacks." He then steps towards the wooden post. He punches it multiple times with a flurry of kicks and blows. Y/n stops the assault as he taps the post.

"Action to energy output not effective" He then reels back his fist before planting a firm punch on the post. It leaves a small dent as he continues with firm and powerful strikes.

"All force from the attack goes into the target. It is efficient, you then continue with your series of attacks" Y/n steps back as before he lets MK continue with his training. MK begins striking the post as sweat beads down his forehead. The attacks now obviously taking much more energy.

"So how did you know that was the issue? I just thought his posture was off?" Wukong inquires as Y/n stands tall beside him, their voices hushed a bit.

"Because you did the same when attacking me. Your attacks simply blew off my armor most of the time... your trickery is the only reason you got away for so long" Wukong chuckled, feigning offense as he lazily took another bite of his peach.

"My ‘trickery,’ huh? I call it cheekyness," he smirked, watching MK as he started to incorporate the feedback, each strike now landing with a solid thud on the post. "I mean, maybe your way of fighting is why you never caught me"

Y/n shrugged, eyes steady on MK’s progress. "Perhaps" He glanced at Wukong, his tone dry but pointed. "Maybe it’s why I’m still standing here."

Wukong snorted and gave Y/n a playful push, but it was clear he was a bit awkward talking about how they fought. "Well now that he's finally got it... can we go get something to eat" He looked back at MK, who was panting but resolute, determination sparking in his eyes.

MK wiped his brow, grinning as he turned toward them. "So… am I getting it?" he asked, a mix of hope and doubt in his voice.

Y/n stepped forward, inspecting the post with a careful eye. He nodded approvingly, though his tone remained firm. "You’re starting to understand, but you have to maintain that level of focus in real combat. Attacks can’t just be strong or fast, they need intent, weight, precision."

MK murmured, looking down at his hands. "That’s… tougher than it sounds."

"Welp I'm famished, come on Y/n let's go get something to eat" Wukong says suddenly as Y/n grabs MK before jumping. Wukong doing the same as he gets onto his flying cloud.

*Timeskip*

As they settled into a booth at Pigsy’s Noodles, Y/n and Wukong exchanged an unspoken look of relief, Y/n unknowingly relaxed as his posture softened. Pigsy brought over the usual, extra-large bowls of noodles for the two mentors and a bowl for MK, who was still buzzing with post-training energy.

Nearby, Mei leaned casually on the counter, watching the trio with a suspiciously amused look in her eyes. She exchanged a quick glance with MK, who seemed too focused on eating to notice.

"You two seem… cozy," Mei said innocently, arching a brow as she watched Y/n and Wukong. Her gaze was sharp but playful, almost daring them to catch her meaning.

Wukong, oblivious to her tone, shrugged, lazily slurping some noodles. "What can I say? Nothin' better than food after a good day’s training." He leaned toward Y/n, offering a quick grin. "Right?"

Y/n merely nodded, seemingly unbothered by Mei’s scrutiny. "It’s important to rest unless you do not need to" he replied simply, his usual calm demeanor unshaken.

MK, catching the vibe, glanced between Mei and the two mentors, his brows furrowing. "What’s up, Mei?"

"Oh, nothing," Mei replied with an exaggeratedly innocent smile. "Just noticing how… compatible our two legendary fighters here seem to be." She gave Wukong and Y/n a knowing smirk, trying to gauge their reactions.

Wukong paused mid-slurp, looking confused but amused. "Compatible?" he asked, raising an eyebrow at Mei.

MK looked over, suddenly interested. "You mean, like, fighting styles?" he guessed, completely oblivious.

Mei just chuckled, rolling her eyes. "Sure, MK. Fighting styles." She watched as Wukong and Y/n glanced at each other, still in sync even in their mutual confusion. If they were on a date, it seemed neither of them had realized it yet.

"So, Y/n," Mei continued, her grin widening, "how does it feel hanging out with the Great Sage himself? I mean, just the two of you... alone." She emphasized the last word, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

Y/n blinked, caught off guard. "It’s… productive and completes my task" he said simply, but his voice changing just a fraction as he glanced at Wukong. "He’s surprisingly insightful… when he wants to be."

Wukong snorted, mock-offended. "Surprisingly? I’ll have you know I’m insightful all the time." But his smile grew just a little warmer as he met Y/n’s gaze, and for a moment, "Your a fool" The tall warrior replied with a pat on Wukong’s head before returning to eat.

Mei leaned forward, eyes dancing with intrigue as she saw the little exchange. "You know," she started with a teasing tone, "it's almost like you two are flirting."

Wukong nearly choked on his noodles, spluttering before quickly covering up with a loud laugh. "Mei, you're ridiculous," he said, waving her off as though she had said the most absurd thing in the world. "We're just… uh… sharing mutual respect as warriors!"

MK, who had been listening in confusion, looked between Mei and the two mentors. "Wait, flirting? Like… dating?" he asked, his eyes wide in realization. He looked at Y/n, then at Wukong, his expression incredulous. "Are you guys on a date right now?"

Y/n cleared his throat, keeping his composure and looking at the two mortals, a white glowing shining where his cheeks would be. "We’re training MK, not… anything else. Focus on your noodles," he said firmly, taking another deliberate bite as if to make a point. A small clinking ringing through the room.

Wukong quickly recovered from the surprise, flashing a grin. "See? Nothing to it. Mei's just overthinking things as usual." He gave Mei a playful nudge on the shoulder with his staff, but even he seemed a little too amused by the whole thing.

Mei chuckled, clearly unconvinced but willing to let it go. "Sure, sure, you two are just training partners," she said with a sly smile. She leaned back, giving MK a wink. "Guess we’ll just see how things go from here."

The rest of the meal was spent in relative calm, though Mei would occasionally shoot a glance in their direction with a smirk, and MK continued to mull over what Mei had said, occasionally stealing curious glances at his mentors. As they finished eating and stepped out into the warm evening air. Y/n ever ignorant as to what exactly Mei was talking about.