Path to Strength

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A destructive, yet quick attack.

A quick, yet destructive attack.

A fighter might have a powerful technique, but did that mean they should be feared because of it? Objectively, no.

If you had nothing more to offer than a decisive technique, you weren't worth the time of most fighters.

Wakatsuki saw that. He had the power and his karate, but his massive strength was the only thing that truly made him a dangerous fighter. That's why Kanoh Agito defeated him—because once he learned how to handle such strength, there was nothing Wakatsuki could do.

And so, he developed his [Blast Core] technique and trained ground combat for 8 years.

In this way, with a powerful body, refined karate, mastery of Jiu-jitsu, and a devastating technique, he had become a truly formidable opponent—someone to be feared even by those at the top.

But...

Compared to Wakatsuki, what did Katsumi Orochi have...? No, that was the wrong question.

What did Katsumi Orochi have that could be considered dangerous to Pickle?

Refined karate? Not enough.

A punch that surpasses the speed of sound? Not enough.

An unshakable will to win? Not enough.

So, what did he have? What did he have that could become a threat to Pickle?

Nothing, realistically speaking, nothing.

"Do you understand now, Katsumi?"

But that was about to change.

"Your karate won't be enough."

Because in that dojo, standing firmly in front of what remained of a punching bag, Katsumi Orochi was drenched in sweat, his muscles trembling as he clenched his fist tightly.

"Take it to another level."

Boom!

Punching the air, Katsumi was surprised when he was pushed back by the shockwave of his own attack, his teeth gritting as he felt his entire right arm tremble, a sharp pain running through his bones and muscles, despite no visible injury.

"Congratulations."

Grabbing his arm, he took a deep breath, turning to see Yuji walking towards him, clapping.

"You surpassed Mach 5, congratulations, and without blowing your arm off."

Katsumi's eyes widened in recognition, the realization that he had broken another limit coming to him as a smile spread across his lips.

'Even enhancing my vision with [Removal], I couldn't keep up with that punch...' Rubbing his chin thoughtfully, Yuji showed an interested expression. 'This is certainly something...'

"It's not unlikely that you can withstand attacking at Mach 4 without suffering too much damage, but Mach 5 will definitely cause muscle fiber rupture." As Yuji spoke, Katsumi nodded, satisfied. "But I'm happy to say that your muscles won't explode... at least not if you don't overdo it."

And moving to a bag on the floor, Yuji pulled out what looked like an X-ray, showing it to Katsumi, who looked at it, confused.

"What is this?" The karateka asked, noticing how the X-ray showed a robust skull and thick neck bones.

"This is an X-ray of Pickle's neck up to his head." Smiling, Yuji waved the film in front of Katsumi's face.

"Where the hell did you get that?"

"I have my methods." Coughing, he quickly changed the subject. "Anyway, what do you notice on this X-ray?"

Faced with the question, Katsumi narrowed his eyes as he observed the content of the X-ray, analyzing Pickle's bone structure carefully.

"He has an intimidating bone density." With the apparent answer, he confidently declared, and Yuji nodded in agreement.

"Absolutely." Yuji couldn't help but agree—Pickle was built entirely differently. "And that means, unlike us, his brain is much more protected."

Katsumi's eyes widened, the understanding of what that implied hitting him instantly.

"There's a high chance that even the heaviest attacks won't make his brain rattle."

Katsumi pressed his lips together. It seemed that the more he learned about Pickle, the smaller his chances of winning became.

"But don't be discouraged; this is still your best shot. If you want any chance of winning, then aim for his chin." Yuji stared at him seriously. "If you can make his brain shake, even for just a second, that will be your moment of advantage."

"Yeah..." Katsumi nodded, a little shaken.

"Putting the problems aside, how about a quick match?"

Katsumi blinked, and looking up, he noticed Yuji wearing a confident smile.

"What's wrong? Don't want to fight the guy who beat the man that thrashed your dad?"

Katsumi gritted his teeth in a smile, his brow furrowing as he adjusted his posture. "You're full of confidence just because you taught me a few tricks?"

Shrugging, Yuji stepped back a little before taking a stance. "Is that any way to talk to your master? You might end up hurting my feelings."

"Bastard..." Katsumi muttered, and taking a stance, he readied himself.

"Come on, karateka. Show me what your karate is capable of."

.

In the underground arena, Pickle suddenly sat up, his eyes slowly opening as he turned from side to side to check his surroundings.

Pickle couldn't explain... No, he couldn't even understand the feeling.

Something told him that something big was going to happen, that someone interesting was coming to play with him... But who could it be? That huge guy who stopped his advance? That small and fragile creature, but who hit him with interesting force?

Pickle couldn't say...

But looking around, whatever was going to happen, it wasn't going to happen now.

He felt he would know when the time came.

So, lying down on the ground, he decided he would sleep a little longer.