Path to Strength

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In that stadium, where millions of people gathered to witness that historic fight, Yuji whistled as he felt the entire environment tremble.

Such was the energy that the spectators and those supporting Katsumi were able to generate.

Yuji couldn't help but feel surprised.

"They're excited." Standing in the corridor that led directly to the stadium's field, Yuji glanced at the stands. "There must be at least 70,000 people here."

With a small smile, Yuji turned around, noticing a man crouched not far from him. "Aren't you proud?"

In that place, with a serious look, stood the man who had reached the pinnacle of karate.

The god of war, Doppo Orochi.

"..." And in silence, he just maintained his neutral expression.

But Yuji didn't feel offended, merely shrugging.

"If you're worried, I can assure you he won't die." Declaring this with great confidence, Yuji turned to see Doppo staring at him curiously. "His talent is impressive; he learned everything I taught him in just one day...

At this point, I don't doubt that he's already mastered it."

!

And with footsteps echoing through that corridor, Yuji leaned against the wall as he noticed the center of attention walking calmly, a small smile forming on his lips.

Katsumi Orochi was extraordinary, Yuji had to admit. His talent was absurd, and his combat sense was even greater. To master [Blast Core] and [Indestructible] in just one night, he could compete with big names.

But that alone wasn't such a grand surprise. It was expected for someone of Katsumi's caliber.

The outcome of this match, as much as it seemed like he was favoring Katsumi too much, was uncertain.

If Katsumi relied only on imagination to cause damage, Yuji could say that his defeat was inevitable.

But that was no longer the case.

His strikes would cause damage from the start, and with the fusion of the three techniques, [Imagination] + [Blast Core] + [Indestructible], Katsumi had the most devastating attack Yuji knew.

If Katsumi hit a sensitive point with this attack, even if his arm was destroyed in the process, he had an almost guaranteed victory.

If it wasn't enough to knock out Pickle, it would at least stun him. From there, Katsumi would just need to keep attacking until Pickle's brain couldn't take it anymore.

It seemed easy when spoken, but this was Katsumi's best chance.

It was that or be devoured. In the end, the moment he stepped on that field, he wouldn't have any other choice.

"Don't make your old man..." And as Katsumi passed by him, Doppo said with a smile. "...have to come down there and wipe your butt."

Yuji smiled at the interaction, his eyes following Katsumi to notice him giving him a grateful look.

In the end, he was doing this more for himself, but still, he accepted the unspoken thanks, nodding as Katsumi passed by him.

He would be lying if he said he wasn't excited to see this.

In fact, he was very excited.

!

The instant Katsumi stepped onto the field, his body trembled as a powerful pressure hit every inch of his being.

The supportive cheers of everyone echoed throughout the stadium, with about 55,000 members of the Tokyo Shinshikai present to offer their support.

With a gesture as simple as the karate punches directed at Katsumi, they were there, in the flesh, to support the one they considered their master.

To support the one who would represent them, the prince of karate, Katsumi Orochi.

Each punch carried emotion, the purest form of support they could offer.

And coming from 55,000 men, it was something that could strengthen anyone.

A scene that sent chills down most people's spines.

"This is incredible," Yuji praised. "I have many followers from my academies, but this is something I couldn't match."

"These are people earned over time, from parents to children, they're all here."

Surprised when a voice sounded, Yuji turned to see Doppo walking toward him.

"What technique did you teach him?" Doppo asked, which brought a small smile to Yuji's face.

"I wouldn't say I taught him; he did most of the work. His talent is something incredible," Yuji declared sincerely. "It's something I used during the annihilation tournament; you were there, weren't you?"

Doppo seemed surprised for a moment before nodding in agreement.

"Superficially, it doesn't seem difficult, but it requires meticulous control of one's muscle fibers. Few can use it effectively, and in fact, that's why, despite seeming simple, there aren't many people who are willing to learn it.

This will give him a bit of an edge... At least, it will make his body withstand the damage of breaking the sound barrier countless times."

Yuji's smile widened, and turning to Doppo with a confident look, he declared, "I think you're going to have to give up your title of god of war, old man. At this point, Katsumi Orochi has already surpassed you."

"..." Staring at the boy in silence, Doppo allowed his lips to curl into a small smile, his single eye turning toward the arena where Katsumi was walking.

And as he walked, Katsumi froze as his body trembled once again, that feeling of support he felt from everyone around him growing stronger. This made him turn around, his eyes widening as he noticed Doppo sending a punch in his direction.

'I understand.' Smiling brightly, Katsumi turned back to the gate on the other side of the arena. 'This feeling of support, from all the more than 50,000 dojo students, from my comrades, from my four fathers.'

Taking a stance, he sighed, the air escaping his lips like steam.

'I must embrace them and channel them into my attacks.'

And as the gate slowly opened, Katsumi clenched his fist even tighter.

'Watch me...'

!

With the gate fully open, Katsumi's gaze hardened as Pickle suddenly charged at him like a beast, his arms reaching out in an attempt to capture him like prey.

'I will definitely win!'

Boom!