Sandman in MHA

As per my typical schedule, I got up early and warmed up my body for today's workout. After getting ready, I went straight to the living room to find my mother waiting for me on the couch, watching the news. After eating, my mother and I went to her car and drove to the train station.

After we got out of the car, she went to get our train tickets. After purchasing our tickets, we boarded the train for a journey that lasted more than an hour.

My mum started preparing to depart as the train reached our destination and announced our drop-off point. When the doors automatically opened, we arrived at our drop-off location, stepped off the train, and walked to the closest intersection.

To make sure we didn't lose our track, she took her phone out of her purse and looked at the location seeing it's the right one.

After a few minutes, she approached me and remarked, her expression solemn."Yuta, are you certain you want to learn a martial art or how to fight?"

"Sure mom, I'm not mistaken."

"Additionally, I must issue a brief warning to you. The training you've been doing since you first began manifesting your quirk is nothing like martial art, and you may experience some setbacks, but don't let that deter you, okay?"

"Thanks mom for the little advice."

"You're welcome and don't come home crying to me." She teased.

We concluded our little conversation and continued our journey. As we got out of the car and Mom paid the driver, we came to a junction. As my mother continued to explain things to me and I continued to concentrate on our journey towards the neighboring woodland, we kept walking beside a few buildings.

"Get yourself ready, Yuta! We're present." She said.

I stretched for a few seconds to warm up my body and prepared myself. "I'm ready, Mom." She smiled at me before approaching the front of the wooden structure that had the words "Isshin Dojo" etched on its top.

Mom knocked on the dojo door twice, and then the doors slowly opened as a bald-haired man smiled and came out to greet Mom and I.

"Long Time no see, dear friend of mine." The bald haired man said while smiling towards my mom as he shook hands with her.

"Isshin, a long time has passed. You seem as healthy as you have been over the years." Mom greeted him.

I gazed in disbelief as I watched the two of them shake hands together while she introduced me to the bald-haired man. "This is Isshin, the dojo's owner, a good friend of mine and your father, Yuta."  she said.

"Isshin-san, nice to meet you, Yuta." I kept it brief and bowed my head in deference.

"Young Yuta, nice to meet you." Isshin said, closing his eyes as he shook my hand. "I take it that you're here to practice martial arts?" He went on.

"Yes sir."

"If I may ask, could you explain why you chose to learn martial arts at such a young age and what your goals are at this dojo?"

"I want to learn how to defend and fight for the people I care about." I spoke briefly while maintaining a fixed gaze on him.

"I'm glad to hear that, but don't expect me to be forgiving just because you're here."

"Yes, sir. It's good to meet you again, and I appreciate you taking care of me." I gave Isshin a courteous bow, and I also gave my mother, who was observing us, the same gesture.

Mom and Isshin talked a little while she walked to a far end of the dojo. I trailed behind him as he introduced me to the other trainees inside the dojo.

"Let's get started since you're already here, Yuta." He said.

"Yes sir." I replied.

"First, what kind of quirk are you gifted from your parents?" He asked.

"A sand quirk." I lift up my hands and change the sand into different shapes.

"Okay that's good, so I'll let you know that whatever training you'll be doing for now you are being forbidden to use your quirk. It's that understood?"

"Yes sir." I bowed my head and said.'This gonna be hell on earth.'

The sound of soft shuffling feet and the aroma of incense permeated the dojo's air, fostering a disciplined and traditional atmosphere. Mom looked on proudly as I ventured into the realm of discipline and self-defence for the first time.

I was excited and a little anxious as I saw the rows of kids rehearsing different forms and approaches. Sensing my desire to study, Isshin, the sensei, a knowledgeable and skilled martial artist, came up to me smiling.

"I'll have you begin with the fundamentals, such as your stances, punches, and kicks, Yuta. But before we get on to the standard fundamentals of martial arts, I'll have you practice your endurance." Isshin remarked while stroking his beard.

"Martial arts teach you how to defend yourself and maintain your fitness by teaching you various fighting techniques. You learn things like blocks, strikes, and stances. Similar to your starting positions, stances include front stance and horse stance. Your punches and kicks, such as a front kick or jab, are called strikes. 

Blocks, such as inner or high blocks, are meant to keep you safe from harm. Gaining a solid foundation and improving your martial arts skills over time are made possible by mastering these fundamentals."  I simply nodded and gave Isshin the thumbs up after he went over the fundamentals with me.

As Isshin briefly explained everything to me, I started writing down every detail so that I could review the few fundamentals in my own spare  time. After shutting off the notebook, I followed Isshin to my training location. 

There, I witnessed a few children who were larger than me engage in vicious combat before the larger child gave the other a roundhouse kick that rendered him unconscious.

"Wow, that's a really strong move." Isshin informed me that the other child is one of the few strongest souls in the dojo, but I couldn't stop staring at what had just happened to him. I swallowed and put on my white doji costume. I rushed up to Isshin and yelled "Osu" while bowing.

"Since you are the lowest rank in this dojo, Yuta, you will need to begin with the basics in order to increase your endurance, agility, flexibility, and core strength—which is the most crucial—as well as perform push-ups, sit-ups, and squats. He yelled as we met eyes, and I politely answered."Osu."

Isshin-san instructed me to jog around the dojo at full speed as a warm-up before the rigorous training started. My eyes started spinning as if I were about to faint after running a lap. After taking a minute to collect my breath, I started running at full speed, only to see that I had barely completed a lap and a half.

"Get up, brat, and go running!" As I finally got to my feet and began running, Isshin yelled. "Heavenly father, I believe my death is imminent." As I was sweating profusely from only two of the ten laps I had completed, the notion crossed my head. "S-Sensei, may I please have a little time out? I believe I've reached my limit." I collapsed on the ground, gasping for air like a rabid dog.

"Brat, did you just say something? Do you suppose I put up with weakness in this dojo?" He yelled aggressively at me while I lay on the ground, powerless. "Oh no." With sweats streaming down my face, I despised myself for assuming that learning to fight wasn't as difficult while oblivious to the consequences of everyone's struggles, whether they were heroic or villainous.

With enthusiasm, I got to my feet, felt my heartbeat echoing aloud, and started running, perspiring profusely. I fell to the ground in the middle of the dojo, exhausted and breathless, my heart racing like it was about to explode.

The fear of my previous struggle was replaced by a feeling of serenity as I lay there on the floor, helpless. 

Isshin came over, grinning proudly, and spoke encouragingly in a soft voice. "That concludes your first day, so go relax while you can because things won't be as simple as this tomorrow." I felt stunned and engrossed in the truth of tomorrow in that vulnerable moment.