20 March 745, Victory Gym

It had been a month since I've put on my wrists weights and ankle weights. The soreness and heaviness from wearing them had reduced a little, my body had probably gotten used to the extra weight. I barely took them off, only needing to when I was showering at the gym.

However, the pain was still there. I could still hear the 'cracks' every once in awhile, or my breathing becoming increasingly harder. The longer I trained, the worst it became.

My determination was the only thing that kept me going. There's also the fact that Leina might kill me if I quit training.

Besides my physical training, there was my other training that I had not made any progress. I was not able to be in contact with my ki at all, I was starting to think my training is rather worthless.

Yamcha, on the other hand, has been able to feel his ki rather frequently. He had also managed to use his ki on multiple sparring sessions as well.

All of this had made me lose my confidence but I never let that bother me. I want to be someone Yamcha could look up to, not the other around.

I had finally completed my ten laps around the city. The repetition of this training had made my legs stiffer than usual, my stamina had also increased rapidly.

I arrived at the Victory Gym as per norm, preparing to do my 100 pushups for my daily training routine. As I tried to get in position, Leina stepped in front of me. "That's enough training for now." She told me before I could proceed to do my training.

This got me a little confused. After all, I wasn't as tired as that day she previously told me to stop. "Uhhh...why?" I asked as I arched my eyebrow.

She glared at me for my question. I immediately thought that I crossed the line again and wanted to apologize but she cut me off before I could. "Because you're taking off those weights."

This made me scared. Is she giving up on training me? I didn't think I was that worthless. "W-what?!" I muttered out loud, unable to form any proper words.

"That's right. I think you are ready to move on to the next part of training."

...huh? I was ready? I sighed heavily as her words sink in. Oh god, I thought I was hopeless for sure. However, there was still something that bothered me. "B-but didn't you say that you'll add another pound to my weights?"

"Oh, that? That was just to encourage you to try harder. I've actually already added max weights since the beginning." Leina answered without reluctance.

I just stared at her, feeling a little irritated at her insincerity. However, I paid no mind to it. "...Right. So what's next on my training?"

She threw a pair of gloves at me, expecting me to wear it immediately. She didn't wait for me to respond before throwing a sports bag at me. "We're going on a little trip." She told me as she walked out of the gym, not waiting for me to gather my bearings.

I still gripped the bag and the gloves in my arms, staring at her as she strolled outside. "This is going to be a long day, isn't' it?" I spoke to no one in particular as I sighed heavily.

I gave up trying to make sense of it all and decided to follow with her plan. After all, what could go wrong?

/Timeskip/

21 February 745, East City

One word. Extremely enormous...okay, those are two words but those two words are needed. Because the buildings had literally reached the sky. I'm not kidding.

So you're basically telling me that their civilization could build sky-piercing skyscrapers but they couldn't even make a smartphone. Speaking of smartphone, I had reduce my usage of my phone due to the fact that it is running out of battery, fast. Until I could find a charger, I will try my best to refrain from using my phone.

"If you keep opening your mouth like that, a bug might find your mouth fairly suitable to be it's home." My mentor called out as I was still gaping at the sight. I quickly kept my mouth shut to avoid embarrassing myself any further.

Although I still had a hard time not glancing at my surroundings. The buildings were oddly shaped but it's structure seem stable, not that I know anything about engineering.

I snapped myself out of it and focused on catching up with Leina as she had already went on ahead without me. The moment I caught up, there were many questions I needed to ask but I only chose one for now. "Where are we heading?" I questioned.

She focused on the road as she answered my question. "Just be patient." She shrugged off my question.

I was rather frustrated but did show her that and decided to admire the sights around the city.

Soon after, we had headed into a bamboo forest. It was thick and they were arranged nicely by the side of the pavement we were walking on. I never really seen this much bamboo in my life before, so this was a new experience.

It was silent as there wasn't any city noises that could be heard. As the silence grew longer, the more awkward it was for me. I felt like saying something but I knew it would be rather pointless. However, it seems that Leina had grown tired of the silence as well. "Before we arrived at our destination, I would like you to recap our boxing lessons."

I didn't knew why she chose this time to make me revise my boxing lessons but I knew more than enough to not ignore her questions. "Uhh...I must always keep my dominant hand at the back while my other hand is at the front. Secondly, I must keep my knees bent to balance my body. Thirdly, I must breathe rhythmically to my movement." I told her as I pulled my hands to show her my stance.

She didn't look back and continued to head forward. "Good but those are the basic of how your stance should be. What about for defending and attacking?"

I was still curious of the reason she was asking all these questions but I held in the urge to ask. "Well, my dominant hand is for throwing straight punches while my other hand is for throwing jabs. I must exhale sharply each time I throw a punch. As for defending, I must bring my arm closer to cover my face. If it was a body blow, I must lower my elbow to block it." I threw a few punches for demonstration.

"Correct. Now, what about dodging?"

My patience was slowly wearing thin. "I must pivot my feet correctly and be aware of my opponent's movements."

"That's right. Now, what about the special techni-"

"Damn it! Could you please stop asking me to recap my boxing lessons already and just tell me where are we going?!" I snapped at her as my patience ran out.

She glared at me dead in the eye which made me regret what I just did. I could feel the amount of pressure she was asserting from just the way her eyes glared at me. It made me...terrified. It felt like all my body functions had shut down for a small moment.

As I thought I was going to die, she placed her attention on a temple's gate located in the middle of the forest. It was written a writing I'm not familiar with, it was probably japanese. "We're here." She stated.

She walked into the gates of the temple, leaving me at the front. I just stood still, my legs frozen in place. A few seconds later, my body functions started to come online. I gulped a little, my mind still adjusting to the events that occurred.

I shook my head and followed my mentor into the gates of the temple, with a meter between us. The surroundings were filled with trees and grass, there were several ponds around us as well, it gives off a certain zen vibe.

There were stairs that leads up to the temple's large doors, which has a red and gold pattern on it. The door has these gold rims around it's unnecessarily fancy doorknobs.

As Leina set on foot onto the steps towards the door, something quick immediately flies out from behind one of the bushes surrounding us. It was incredibly fast so I wasn't able to see anything except for a blur.

Although I wasn't quick enough to see anything, I instinctively took a step back. My body moved naturally without occurring to me that my mentor may be in trouble.

I glanced up at the steps where my mentor stood, a bald man with loose yellow clothing stood beside her. He had six incense burned on the top of his head. It was clear that he attacked her as he had a fist striking her. However, my mentor had already prepared beforehand and blocked the blow from hitting her.

I stood there a little shock, I didn't knew what to do. I wasn't able to do anything and will probably not be able to anything if I couldn't even see the person coming.

Two more figures came flying from the bushes again, standing behind me. I turned around to get a good look at them, one was taller than other but they both wore similar overalls and had the same bald head.

I glanced at them cautiously, keeping my guard up for my own safety. Soon, I could hear laughter coming from where my mentor stood, however, it wasn't that of my mentor's.

It came from the bald men, which looks older than the ones behind me as he had a small moustache. He stopped laughing right after and looked at her with smug on his face. "As quick as ever, I see." He said to Leina as he was familiar with her.

"And you're still weak." She commented after a few short seconds.

The man had a scowl on his face, clearly hating the comment that Leina made. However, he did not made any witty remarks and decided to get to the point. "So what brings you here?" He asked with slight disgust.

"Well, I would like a propose a duel." She stated.

The man stood rigid for a small moment before adjusting himself. "So you can beat us again?"

"No." She answered. She glanced at me for short while before shifting her eyes back at him. "It will be my student that will participate." She added.

I stood still, shocked from the sudden events. What the hell is she doing?! Wait...so that's why she wanted me to recap my boxing lessons! As the man heard those words, he stared at me before he looks back at Leina. "Him?" He asked with disbelief. "He could barely react properly when we ambush the both of you."

That made me feel a little worthless when those words left his mouth. Leina hesitated a little until she decided to speak up again. "I will still request this duel."

The bald man stood in silence but a smirk soon overcame his face. "I'll let your student fight one of my best student. If he doesn't win, you must join the Orin Temple and you must listen to all of our orders."

Orin Temple? Why does that sound familiar?

I could tell that made Leina uneasy, however, what she said next surprised me. "Very well." She replied. "But if my student wins, you will refrain from joining this year's World Martial Arts Tournament." She added.

This made the man gulped a little, his eyes filled with concern. However, he still reluctantly accepted the duel. "Fine. I accept this duel. Come on in, I'll show you your student's opponent." He turned his back and pushed the large doors, walking in.

Leina soon followed with me tailing behind. As I entered, I glanced around at my surroundings. It looks like the dojos you would see in a movie, there were weapons nicely placed onto some wooden wall holders, the floor was wooden tiled and of course, dojo students sitting across the floor.

As Leina and I entered the room, the students looked at us curiously, probably not expecting our arrival. The man earlier, most likely the teacher of the dojo, stood in front of them and spoke up loudly after the other students behind me closed the doors. "Today's classes will be cancelled for today due to unpredictable circumstances." He glanced a little at Leina.

The students cheered a little before the teacher glared at them to shut them up. "As I was saying, today's class is cancelled because we'll be having a duel." This caught the student's attention as they raised their heads to look at their teacher. "Between one of our students and their's." He stated, getting everyone in the dojo a little riled up.

Leina nudged me forward and jerked her head toward the students. I understood what she meant and took a step forward, nodding at the students after I did.

"This will be our school's challenger." He stated as he gestured at me which made me nervous. "As for our fighter, it will be Hideki." He told the class.

For some reason, this got the class a little chatty as they start murmuring to each other. This had got me nervous too as I didn't what was happening. I glanced over at Leina who shook her head, telling me that she doesn't know either.

The teacher glared at them again before continuing, "They will be fighting until one of the fighter becomes unconscious or gives up." He explained to them. "If we win, this girl will enter our school." He added. Some of the students had this look in their eyes which says they were a little perverted and are eager for Leina to join. "However, if we lose we won't be able to participate this year's World Martial Arts Tournament."

This made the class silent. He let those words sink in before continuing, "I'll call Hideki from his training. Therefore, all of you shall remain silent." After that, he walked out of the dojo room.

I stared on the spot unsure of what to do as the students looked at me. Luckily, Leina came to the rescue as she tapped my shoulder. "Give me those bags." She said as she took the bags from my arms.

Before she took the bags from my tired arms, she glanced at my wrists which made me realize that I forgot to take off the wrists weights. "Take those off now." She ordered me which I complied.

As I finally took the weights off, it felt like my arms were in heaven. I moved my wrists a little due to the stiffness and soon remembered to take my ankle weights off as well.

As I took them off, I finally felt much better than I was before. I felt like I could jump ten feet in the air if I wanted to. I threw a few jabs into the air to adjust myself and I also jumped a little. Leina decided to give me some space and stepped back near the wall.

I suddenly heard the door sliding and I turned towards the sound. The moment I did though, I shuddered in fear. I saw the large build of who I assume is Hideki walked inside the dojo room.

My eyes widened in fear, as his body size clearly towers over mine. He stood menacingly over me, his eyes watching my every movement. "This is Hideki, if you're wondering." The teacher spoke up from his student, Hideki.

I gulped a little but I held in my fear. I didn't want to show him I'm scared but clearly it wasn't working as I could see the teacher smirk at me. He must have planned this all along.

"We will now begin this round so could the both of you take your rightful place at the opposite of the dojo." He gestured to both sides of dojo. We did as we were told and stood across each other in the dojo.

He stared at me as I stared at him. I tried my best to keep my composure and looked at him in the eye. We were both waiting for magical word before engaging each other in combat. "Seeing as you're both ready, you may now begin!" The teacher shouted loud enough for us to hear.

As the teacher shouted, both Hideki and I got into our battle stances. I raised my fists as he raised his. I widened my stance as he widened his. Our eyes both anticipate each other's moves. The both of us waited for each one of us to make a move.

Leina took her stance and stood her ground.

She waited for me to make my move which I soon did. As she anticipated my move, she stepped to the side and planted a fist to my ribs.

Remember, always wait for your opponent to attack."

Leina's words resonated in my head. I remembered those lessons well and did as I was taught. Soon, Hideki got tired of waiting and leaped forward towards me. I angled his feet towards me, planning to land a kick on me.

"Arrghhh!" She landed another hit on me which I tried to block but failed miserably.

"If you have a choice between dodging and blocking, always dodge."

I quickly reacted and jumped to the side. Hideki's foot landed on the floor with a loud 'thud', but he didn't stop there. He threw a punch towards my face which I soon dodged by shifting my head to the left. He kept going without stopping and kept throwing punches left and right which I kept dodging by stepping back. Soon, my back had hit something behind me. Shit! I'm cornered without realizing.

As I was distracted by the sudden obstacle, Hideki threw a punch aimed for my head. I quickly duck to avoid the painful impact, Hideki's fist had been driven through the wall due to his sheer strength. I swiftly moved out from the small space and stood behind him. Hideki saw this new development and tried to turn around to hit me but his hand was stuck to the wall.

Leina decked me across the face with her fist which made me shout in pain.

I was distracted with the pain that I didn't realize Leina had already directed a round house kick to my ribs.

"Remember to always take advantage of your opponents weakness."

I saw that this was my chance to attack him so I reduced the distance between us and threw a straight right at him. Unluckily, Hideki had already managed to pull his hand and turned around. He blocked my punch in time before my punch connected. He quickly followed up with a sweep kick below me which caused me to fall on my back.

He attempted to stomp me but I quickly rolled away to avoid his foot. The moment I rolled away, his foot struck the ground too hard and got his foot stuck in the wooden floor matting. I quickly got up because I knew I wouldn't do any good being on the ground. Hideki had managed to get his foot off the ground and continue to pressuring me with his punches, he threw a few kicks as well.

I had kept keeping my distance between me and him, afraid of the pain his blows might deal. Soon enough, Hideki got frustrated and decided to throw a big one at me. My brain suddenly told me to panic a little as his fist managed close in quickly.

I was about to hit her, I was sure of it. My fist felt close to her face, as if at any moment I would finally be able to land my first strike. However, my punch never hit her, in fact, I was the one that was sent to the floor.

"That was a move you could use with enough training. It's basically punching your opponents as they are punching you."

"So it's basically trading blows?" I asked as I tried to recover.

She shook her head. "No, it's different. This move attacks the opponent when they least expect it." She explained. "It's called a-"

I knew this was the right time for show the results of my training. I knew this was the time to use it. I raised my arm as he got close, my arm overlaps his. His fist nearly connected to my face but I brushed past it and concentrate on my punch.

I will show you my power. I will show everyone I can do it. I will show everyone I'm not worthless.

I will show the-

"-counter punch."

"Counter punch!!"

I felt my punch landed on his face, a sound resonating upon impact. Silence had befall the room, my fist was still connected at his face, he had not moved for awhile.

Had I finally done it? Had I finally won?

Suddenly, I could feel his face moving. As his face moved a little, I could see his eyes glaring at me. His eyes were filled with anger, glowing red. The pressure was back, my body was shaking.

I tried to think of any words that might help but none of present. My mind was blank, I couldn't think. I tried to quickly back off so that I may gather my bearings, but I wasn't able to move in time.

Hideki grabbed my wrists tightly, I couldn't even budge. I struggled but to no avail as the grip only gotten tighter. Hideki kicked me directly towards my head, he let go at that very moment so my body went spinning. He didn't stop there and plummeted me to the floor with a swift chop at my abdomen.

I slammed at the floor, my body aching again as it once did. I tried to get up but Hideki was already moving before I did. He grabbed me by the collar and lifted me up from where I once lay.

He punched me in the ribs with his other hand, making me spill some saliva in front of him. He wasn't done with me so he kept it going on and on again. Soon, he threw me to the floor, my body landing with a 'thud'.

"Give up?" He asked, quietly. His eyes staring dead into my laying body, watching my every move.

It took me awhile to respond as I was not only tired and injured but I was considering my options. However, only one option seem right to me. "Never." I replied softly as I raised my gaze at his.

He didn't take kindly to my answer as he grabbed me by the back of my collar and threw me up. "Your loss!" He shouted as he jumped to the height he threw me. He kicked me higher and higher and he wasn't showing any signs of stopping. When I was close to the ceiling, he appeared above me with his two hands forming a club, preparing to strike me down.

At that moment, it felt quiet. Silence overtook me, I couldn't hear anything. My body felt weightless, I couldn't feel anything either. It was like I was shut off from the world...this feels familiar.

"Orin Combo!!" He shouted as he slammed my body into the ground, destroying bits and pieces of wooden planks. The floor cracked and I was sure that wasn't the only thing that cracked. I couldn't feel the pain, I couldn't hear my scream, I couldn't see my opponent.

I couldn't win.

/Flashback/

"Worthless!!"

My father shouted at me the moment I handed my exam papers to him. I had gotten terrible marks, failed all of them.

"You can't do anything right. Why can't you be more like your sister? She's a goddess compared to a trash like you." He continued to shout at me. I was shivering and staring in fear at him. I lowered my head, afraid of looking at my father in the eye.

"You will be grounded in this study room for three months straight and if you still continue to disappoint me, pray that you may get to see sunlight again." He said sternly.

He turned around and walked towards the door of the study room, probably going to close after he left. However, before he left, he turned around and looked at me.

"Why did I ever had a son like you?"

After those words left him, he slammed the door and I could hear the door being locked.

I stood there for what felt like several moments before I glanced around the room. There were many books stacked across each other on the table, the books I had spent many day and nights trying to study for my previous exam. It didn't went as well as I hoped.

I could feel the tears welling up but I fought against it. I walked towards the desk and took a seat near the table, opening a book after I do so.

Dad...those weren't the words I wanted to hear.

The words I wanted to hear was...

"You can do it!!"

/End/

(Leina's POV)

The impact had crushed the ground, making bits of debris fly everywhere. I shielded my eyes a little but I kept watching.

Orin Combo. I knew of that move, it was a move passed down from the Orin Temple. It was basically a barrage of flying kicks upwards before sending your opponent flying down. Learning it was simple but j heard, mastering was way tougher. To think this kid, Hideki managed to master it.

However, I was more concerned about my student. He had endured all sorts of obstacles that comes his way, he recalled all of my lessons perfectly and was able to demonstrate it. He...was probably the only student I had that could last this long. To think that he was the same weak kid I met long ago.

"Do you yield?" Hideki asked once more. He stared at the fallen body of my student, probably anticipating to get up.

There was no answer from my student. "Hmmph, weak." Hideki said from his spot and turned towards Gaichi, the dojo master and the most annoying person I met.

Gaichi decided that winner that already been decided and went over to Hideki, raising the boy's hand. "It was an exciting match but the winner of this match is our one and only-"

Something unexpected had happened, my student had raised his hand in the air from where he lay. He placed his hand onto the ground and pushed himself off the ground slowly. His legs were struggling as he got up. He kept his head down when he stood up just barely.

Everyone stared at him bewildered at what their seeing, including me. He struggled to speak but he forced himself anyway. "I'm not done yet." He gasped out.

Hideki scowl at the sight of my student, his veins popping from his muscles. Hideki ripped out his hand from his teacher's grasp and dashed straight at my student, his fist reeling back to land a strike.

My student made no attempt to move, convincing me that he had no energy. I wanted to help but that would disgrace my student further. Hideki's fist connected with my student's face but my student was still standing.

My student soon grabbed Hideki's wrist and pulled it off his face, twisting it in the process. At that moment, I got a good look at my student's face, his eyes were filled with determination and anger.

Hideki screamed a little but refuses to back down, he threw another punch but it was intercepted with quick counter punch to his cheek. Hideki was knocked back a little but he was still standing his ground. My student's grip on Hideki's wrist was preventing Hideki from backing off, he punched Hideki in the abdomen several times before throwing him across the room, skidding the floor.

Hideki's skills had helped him back on his feet within seconds but my student had already closed in the distance within the blink off an eye. Hideki was suddenly afraid and tried dodging my student's hits but to no avail as all my student's hits had connected.

As time passed on, Hideki's moves were suddenly getting sloppy and was obviously getting tired. My student was still pressuring him and knocking him left and right with hooks.

I taught my student to be an outboxer who specializes in counter punches but now he was acting like an outright inboxer as he was Hideki like a bull.

Just what the hell is going on?! He was struggling earlier but now he was overpowering Hideki. My student's both strength and speed had only gotten better with each passing second.

Perhaps I made the right choice of training him after all.

After my student whacked Hideki left and right, he stopped and a stance I'm unfamiliar with. His stance was wide open and his palm was facing out with the exception of his fingers curling a little. He dashed toward Hideki who was still recovering from the onslaught.

"Wolf Fang Fist!" My student shouted and strike Hideki's face, alternating between his two hands. Soon, my student finished it off with a strike using his both hands, aiming for Hideki's abdomen. Upon impact, Hideki was sent flying towards the wall, breaking it due to it's wooden nature.

Everyone was shocked to say in the least. Their mouths were wide open, their eyes were widened in surprise.

My student, on the other hand, collapsed on the floor, his face laying flat on the floor. Everyone still didn't say anything so I took the initiative because I was tired of their faces. "Guess I won't be seeing you guys in this year's tournament." I said as I dragged my student by the collar, walking out of the Orin Temple.

/Timeskip/

21 March 745, Orange Star Hospital

(Sam's POV)

I had woken up half an hour ago, on a hospital bed. I really need to stop waking with injuries all over my body.

The moment I woke up, the nurses decided to contact Leina as soon as possible so she's probably heading over here right now.

I could remember what I did to that kid...his name was Hiseki, I think. I used Wolf Fang Fist on him so as the counter punch but what I questioned the most is the reason how my ki suddenly spiked. The moment I got the flashback, my ki had spiked tremendously.

I've seen Goku getting ki spikes before due to emotional stress but for an earthling like me to get it is...weird.

Before I think further, the door to the hospital room was pushed open by Leina. She glanced at me and walked in the room, locking the door behind her. She took a seat on a chair beside my bed, still not saying a word.

Soon, the silence filled the room. I noticed that she bagan to act differently ever since yesterday, she had not mocked me for some time now. Wonder what's up with that? Silence doesn't suit her. Soon, Leina's voice filled the silence. "Hello." She muttered.

"Hi." I greeted her.

Silence filled the room again. Well, this isn't awkward. This time I decided to speak up, "So...ummm...I would like to apologize for snapping before arriving at Orin's Temple." I started.

"Stop apologizing already. It's rather annoying to be honest." She said.

"I'm sorr-" I stopped myself after realizing I was gonna apologize. "Okay."

She sighed at my small mistake. "What was that yesterday?"

Yesterday. The nurse had notified me that I had been unconscious for a day which didn't really shock me in the slightest. "Well, I'm still figuring out that as well."

She only gave a small hum as a response before asking another question. "What about the...Wolf...Fang Fist as you call it?"

"Oh, that. It's something that my desert friend taught me." I said evenly.

She pondered on my answer before replying. "Hmm...I might want to meet him one day."

"Yeah. He wants to meet you too."

Silence filled the room again. Soon, Leina got up from her seat and headed towards the door. She probably couldn't stand the silence as much as I can. Before she leaves, she turned her head around. "You have a week off from training, but just do small workouts in the meantime." She turned her back at the entrance and was going to leave but she stopped herself before doing so as if she changed her mind about something. "And I'm glad you're okay." She said before taking off.

I don't know why but those words made me feel alive again.

Authors Notes

Hello everyone who's reading this. I'm glad you guys took some of your time to read my story and hopefully you guys enjoy this chapter.

There wasn't any new reviews so I'm gonna go straight to the power levels,

Leina: 15

Gaichi: 11

Hideki: 10 (Orin Combo) 12

Sam: 9 (Ki spike) 12 (Wolf Fang Fist) 14

And here are the power levels. Sam had grown quite a bit within a month's training but he still a long way to go before he could catch up to Leina and Yamcha.

Here an omake of a character that you guys might be familiar with:

/Omake/

(???'s POV)

"Hahaha!!!" My seniors or also known as bullies laughed at me as I failed to learn the Orin Combo again.

"Just give up already. You're just a joke. Come on, let's go." They insulted me as they walked away from where I fell.

Those jerks, I'll show them who's boss when I finally find the great Muten Roshi. Speaking of Muten Roshi, I had made little progress of finding out about his whereabouts. I swear he purposely tried to isolate himself from the rest of the world.

Today there was someone else unexpected that came today though. There's this girl with great curves and the face of a model, then there was this guy who looked really clueless like he didn't knew what he was doing. However, what happened today told me to never judge a book by it's cover. He had not only survived one of our best student's Orin Combo but he also managed to beat him in the end. He is truly a strong person.

If I couldn't find Muten Roshi, maybe I could find that lady and ask her to be mentor. It'll be like a blessing.

For now though, I'll just be patient and wait.

/End of omake/

Can you guys guess who that was? Anyways, that's all for this chapter and hope to see you all next chapter.

Please leave a review or a properly constructed criticism. Thank you.