A whole year passed.
During that year, I trained harder than I ever had before.
With Marie and Tobisa helping me, I finally mastered all seven forms of Nature Breathing.
Not only that, but I also completed my gun training.
Turns out, Dorna was actually a really good teacher.
Well...
When he wasn't trying to kill us with exercise.
Finally, on my fourteenth birthday, I completed my gunning course.
For the first time in a year, I felt like I had actually accomplished something.
That night, after falling asleep, I found myself standing in the familiar field again.
Senjuro stood before me with his usual smile.
"Happy birthday, Fogo!" he said.
I grinned.
"Thanks!"
"So," Senjuro said, crossing his arms, "have you mastered Nature Breathing?"
"Yes!"
His smile widened.
"Good."
Then his expression suddenly became serious.
"Attack me."
I blinked.
"What?"
"Attack me."
"But you're unarmed!"
Before I could say anything else—
WHOOSH!
Senjuro vanished.
My eyes widened.
A fraction of a second later, he appeared directly in front of me.
BOOM!
His fist slammed into my stomach.
I flew backward and crashed into the ground.
"GAAH!"
I rolled across the grass, clutching my stomach.
"What was that for?!"
Senjuro laughed.
"Come on, Fogo."
He pointed at me.
"I'm going way too easy on you."
I stood up, drawing my black blade.
"Show me your skills."
Fine.
If he wanted to fight—
I'd fight.
I took a deep breath.
The familiar energy flowed through my body.
"Nature Breathing..."
Wind swirled around my feet.
"Fifth Form: Hurricane!"
I exploded forward.
The grass beneath me was ripped apart as I charged.
My sword sliced through the air—
But Senjuro wasn't there.
I skidded to a stop.
"What?"
I looked around.
Then I heard laughter above me.
I looked up.
Senjuro was floating in the sky.
"Come on!" he shouted.
"You're faster than that!"
I gritted my teeth.
"Fourth Form: Tsunami!"
I launched myself upward.
A green wave of energy followed my blade as I shot toward him.
Again—
Nothing.
My attack hit empty air.
Senjuro had vanished.
Then I heard his voice.
"Too slow."
Below me.
I looked down.
There he was.
Standing on the ground with his hands in his pockets.
My eye twitched.
"Second Form: Lightning Strike!"
I pointed my blade downward and dove toward him like a bolt of lightning.
The air screamed around me.
This time, there was no way he could dodge.
No way.
I shot toward him at full speed.
And Senjuro smiled.