And Akimitsu sees a father figure in Sakamoto; even though he's got Hayate. You'll see my point.

Chapter 17: Second Father Figure

Back at the training hall, Sakamoto continued to show Akimitsu the 'great slam' technique and the more Akimitsu learned from his friend, the better he's gotten at it as he tries multiple times to achieve that technique despite making a few mistakes along the way and Sakamoto showed nothing but patience for him and he demonstrates it in a way that defies his father's version.

He does a backflip, spins around the air and mounds his fists on the ground, causing the floor to make a huge impact when it reacted and Akimitsu was still blown away by how Sakamoto does it until he realizes that it did not come from Oak Sung at all. He widened his eyes in shock and he comes closer to the hole on the ground, then turns to Sakamoto really speechless and said, "Wow..."

"Learned that on my own years ago." Sakamoto replied.

"I wish I could do what you just did." Akimitsu said.

Sakamoto nods his head and obliged to do so and went outside with Akimitsu for a second to resume teaching him to do that move and they climbed on top of the roof of the Training Hall and he helped build up some momentum before they can continue on and Sakamoto took a few steps back and ran as fast as he could, then jumps up in the air and does a kung-fu move as he falls down to the ground and lands on his feet again and the impact on the move completely exploded from underground and it completely left Akimitsu awestruck again.

Sakamoto then looks up at the roof and encourages Akimitsu to try it out for himself, only to see that the white wolf is really nervous about this. He tells Akimitsu to use that nervousness as motivation to keep himself going and succeed at this. Akimitsu lets out a huge gulp, took a deep breath and just went for it. He jumps off the roof and does one signature kung-fu move before landing down on the ground with his fists, having the same result Sakamoto did.

Akimitsu looked at what he had done and just pure happiness came to him and he said, "I did it! I did it again!"

"Way to go, Aki!" Sakamoto shouted, in joy.

Akimitsu laughs excitedly and dogpiled on Sakamoto, just couldn't keep his happiness contained and said, "Thanks to you, Saka! I don't think I've ever felt this way before in my life!"

"I'm proud of you, Aki." Sakamoto said, with a smile.

That last part stopped Akimitsu and he was surprised to hear him say that and he asked, "You're what?"

"I said 'I'm proud of you.'" Sakamoto repeated, before getting up.

Akimitsu looked at Sakamoto in the eye and really couldn't believe what he had just said to him and he said, "You're proud of me?"

"Of course I am. It's not the first time, though." Sakamoto added.

It was a crazy feeling Akimitsu had deep down inside of him to know that someone like Sakamoto is actually proud of him, but he was really happy that he said it because he looks at Sakamoto as more of a second father figure to him. He then said, "I never would've guessed."

"Guessed what?" asked Sakamoto.

"You know, ever since the Second Great War, we've been like partners and friends...just fighting Mongols to keep China and Japan safe and free. Yet, when we're not training or in battle...you help me up whenever my spirit is down. And I've never met a friend like you that made a big difference in my life. It sounds kind of cliche saying this, but...you're like my second dad." Akimitsu admitted.

The fact that Akimitsu sees Sakamoto as his second father really warmed up his heart to know that he's helped mold him into what he's becoming and Sakamoto asked, "Wow...you really think that?"

"Yeah. You inspire me to be a better person and after the war, everything you have said to me really took an impact on me. And I was gonna use it to make myself a better fighter." Akimitsu said.

Sakamoto nodded his head and he smiled at him and said, "I have always thought of you as my son. And I hope that everything you'll do...I'll stand by your side until the very end."

"Me too." Akimitsu replied.

The two hugged each other tightly and Akimitsu felt a tear come out of his eye and the growing brotherhood/friendship both of them have will continue to grow strong for the years to come. Sakamoto then said, "It's a good thing I'm not Hayate."

Akimitsu chuckled softly in that response and said, "Good point."

Isn't that awesome? Stay tuned for more!