Chapter 33: Training Day 2
While Tom was busy soaking in the spa Mitch had decided to spar against some clones of him while Yoruichi watched on "Why exactly are you training when Tom is the one trying to learn his bankai?" Parrying a blow away Mitch sliced the chest of a clone before turning to face her "I mean sure I'm supposed to be training him but I still need to keep my skills up" a clone dove straight in with a vicious swing as Mitch met the blow their blades locked together sparks flying through the air "It's been awhile since I've fought opponents of the White Lotus Societies caliber and I can't afford to slip up".
Jumping back he ducked underneath the clone's wild swing "Plus between training Tom and Ania I have 1 to myself so while they're resting and relaxing I may as well hone my skills". Shrugging her shoulders Yoruichi simply sat down and watched as Mitch flew up directly in between all 4 of his clones Ashura raised ready as they all lunged towards him at the same time. Parrying every strike away he knocked the clones back one by one before darting past each of them elegantly slicing across their torso's as he appeared behind them sheathing his sword as they dissolved away.
"Holy crap that was awesome" Tom called out from below as Mitch looked down to see him standing there awestruck with the way he had been sparring. "So how are we feeling after a soak in the spa?" Mitch landed down next to him as Tom spun his shoulder around "Amazing I mean that spa works wonders I feel totally rejuvenated and all my wounds have healed". "Good well go grab something to eat from my bag and then relax for the rest of the day" he turned to walk away as Tom called out "Where are off to?" "Continue my training of course".
After finding Mitch's bag Tom pulled out a few rice balls just as he felt the ground begin to shake as he leapt atop of the cliff to see Mitch standing below flames erupting all around his body. Sitting down he watched as Ashura was swung down a giant fireball erupting from the tip as it exploded into the cliff sending debris flying everywhere. Quick as a flash Mitch disappeared and then reappeared slicing through the giant boulder chunks that came spewing out, to Tom he was merely a blur racing through the air slicing the rocks into tiny rubble.
Landing back on the ground he sheathed Ashura as a huge chunk from the mountain was missing just as Mitch placed both hands in front of him in the shape of an X and began to chant "Raging fires of the north combine with the fire and sun god to obliterate the earth Destructive Art 88: Fire blast" two diagonally crossed blasts of fire erupted from his hands and flew into the cliff destroying what remained of the mountain as nothing was left but smoke and dust. "Phew I think that calls for a bath now" Mitch said removing his shirt and Shunpoing off towards the baths while Tom still sat there munching on his rice ball amazed at just how destructive Mitch's power truly was.
Done with watching Mitch train Tom had returned to the camp site and leaned up against a rock his mind pondering the question Tamashii Seigei had given to him "How can you defeat a man without killing him? I mean if he's not dead then he can just get up and keep attacking" he muttered to himself as the riddled revolved around inside his mind until he threw both arms up in dismay as he had given himself a headache from thinking to hard.
"Maybe I'll go ask Mitch" as Tom walked over towards the spa he saw Mitch laying there feet kicked up with his clothes behind him in a relaxed trance. "Hey do you have any idea what Tamashii Seigei was talking about during our training?" opening one eye Mitch wagged a finger at him "Maybe I do but it's your training so you'll have to figure that one out on your own" groaning Tom walked back towards his sleeping bag and unrolled it as his head was to sore to even think on the question anymore. As he slowly drifted off to sleep the wise tiger's words echoed in his mind "There are more ways to attack a man than just brute force" was the last thing he heard before drifting off into a deep slumber.
"So how's the water?" Yoruichi called out as Mitch waved a hand above his head "It's perfect as usual" "Alright great I'll come in for a dip then" she said her voice getting closer as Mitch suddenly jerked his eyes open flailing his hands about "Woah, woah back up here can't you just wait till I'm done!" he yelled hysterically as Yourichi just laughed and jumped into the water with a huge splash.
"Come now Mitch last time we were training here you didn't complain if I recall" grabbing a handful of water she began to wash her face as Mitch grunted "If I recall I acted the same way I'm acting now…" as he averted his gaze from the nude woman sitting merely centimeters away from him.
Suddenly the air of playfulness vanished as Mitch's tone got serious "Do you think he'll manage to achieve his bankai in 3 days time" "Well he does have the determination so I'm pretty confident he will pass the test" she said facing him as Mitch sighed "Yeah I guess you're right". "What do you mean you guess I'm right of course I am" she glared at him leaping across the water and tackling Mitch underwater he thrashed about trying break free of her grip on him.