Legend of the Lightning Strike
59. Let's Fight in Dompai
There was a training room for sparring. Jiro's fighters requested the field in front of the Heavenly Army. However, everyone had to maintain their strength to avoid damaging their surroundings. This was also part of maintaining the stability of their power, a force that had to be released and also contained.
The first team began the match with Jiro. Jiro didn't dare disturb the young man who was still seeking enlightenment through meditation. He let the young man be.
The sparring began. Team 1, members: Barsha, Nagada, Gayatri, Nora, and Hamda. They engaged Jiro in the initial phase of the training. As a result, Team 1's combined attacks, even with Barsha's speed and Gayatri's powerful energy attacks, Jiro's fighters were able to withstand and repel their attacks. Jiro stopped Gayatri's attack first, as her long-range attacks were dangerous.
Jiro's speed even surpassed Barsha's, and he attacked Gayatri quickly. When Gayatri was hit, the others tried to protect her, but Jiro's fighters managed to directly hit Nora and Hamda with their near-field energy attacks.
Nagada saw his teammates fall and charged straight at Jiro. He battled with Jiro's fighters, but Nagada was immediately defeated. Finally, Barsha, using his speed, was met with Jiro's superior speed and was restrained by his own weapon, which Jiro quickly snatched.
Team 1 lasted only about 10 minutes. They were truly amazed; Jiro's fighters were truly living legends admired by many.
Team 2's turn came: Arion, Astro, Yara, Sanjo, and Nanji. The second round of fighting began. Five men took their positions, weapons drawn, as they saw that Team 1 wasn't fully prepared.
Instantly, the members of Team 2 were confused about whether to attack first or simply defend. Jiro instantly disappeared and attacked swiftly, a gust of energy they could feel.
They were all ready and on guard from all sides. Jiro attempted to attack Yara, a magician. They anticipated Arion's swift movement with his spear, but they were also mistaken. It was just a feint.
Jiro had already incapacitated Sanjo and Nanji before they could block his attack. Yara tested her magic on Jiro, who blocked the attack and countered. Arion and Astro advanced, their combined strength able to withstand Jiro's attacks. However, the difference in power meant they couldn't keep up after five minutes, and they were both knocked out by Jiro's physical attacks. Yara was the only one left, and with the other four already hit, she raised her hands in surrender.
The second team fell in eight minutes, faster than the first team.
Jiro's fighters didn't want to rest; they were in high spirits. The third team prepared: Alicia, Samuel, Binto, Aria, and Mega. It didn't take long to incapacitate the third team, but it still took 11 minutes. This was due to Alicia's ability to protect her teammates well. Jiro acknowledged Alicia's strength; her magic was able to withstand every attack, although exhausted from using her energy, she eventually surrendered when the clash of powers occurred.
The final team consisted of Lao, Midan, Domar, Namud, and Rosa. The fourth team held out and matched the strength of Jiro's fighters for 10 minutes. Lao and Rosa's strength was enough to withstand every attack from Jiro. Lao consistently used discs to hinder Jiro's movements, though Jiro managed to destroy them all. Rosa helped hold him back, being the only female warrior in the Heavenly Troops.
Jiro was quite enthusiastic, stating that, despite their young age, they all possessed extraordinary talent. Diligent training and good teamwork would allow them to advance in combat and defeat their enemies.
Jiro advised them to focus more on their individual strengths. They needed to understand their strengths so they could best utilize them in team battles.
All Heavenly Troop members were given specific instructions after a face-to-face fistfight. Jiro immediately understood what training was best for each of them.
Tomorrow, Jiro would take them to the library in Prisma City. This specialized library contained intermediate to advanced martial arts. Access to all martial artists was open to all, especially those in the Celestial Army.
Jiro would advise them on practicing certain moves or techniques that they could master quickly and effectively. He would also provide specific guidance on what he had learned from his training throughout the city.
"May I speak with you, warrior Jiro?" came the voice of a young man who hadn't been with you until now. He had been meditating and honing his concentration.
The young man was standing behind the line of 20 Celestial Army members. Even Jiro, who had competed with many great warriors across the continent for his ambition, hadn't sensed the young man's aura. The energy he radiated was thin and steady.
This young man was different from the other Celestial Army members.
"What is your name, young man?" Jiro asked politely.
"I am Aji Bagaskara from a remote village on the Phosphite continent."
"Alright, we'll have a one-on-one battle. I'll honor your request."
Aji stepped forward, and several of his teammates pushed him past. Once Aji reached his teammates, he made a rather strange request of Coach Jiro. He wanted to spar inside Dompai, just the two of them.
Jiro was intrigued; the young man's energy hadn't changed at all; it was stable even when facing him. He was recognized by all the warriors, and every time someone saw him, the energy within his body changed; Jiro could feel it.
Every time Dasatama met him, Jiro always asked his older brother to spar, even though his strength was previously inferior to his own. That's what made Jiro even more diligent in training across the continent. His busy older brother naturally lacked training, and it was unknown whether he would be able to match his older brother this time, given his relentless training and constant pursuit of teachings for his development.
Every time he faced Dasatama, there was a shift in Dasatama's energy. This meant that Dasatama also sensed a sense of power, whether this time Jiro had become even stronger. However, even before him, the young man challenged him; there was no change in his energy.
Did this young man truly possess such extraordinary abilities that he couldn't even sense the depth of his own energy?
The other members of the Heavenly Troops were astonished by Aji's boldness in requesting a sparring match with a living legend like Warrior Jiro. Was he asking for a private match to make him look cooler, knowing he would lose, and not wanting his friends to know?
How could Warrior Jiro grant his request? That was what the other Heavenly Troops thought.
"Alright, let's go to Dompai."
Warrior Jiro smiled, as if he were happy. He was always happy when he found a strong opponent, but this time he felt as happy as ever, and curious about the young man.