"Let's see if your ancient tales hold up against real power!" Kenji screamed, shifting his footwork in a split second. Explosive force rippled through his legs, cracking the floor mats as he launched forward.
He swung the heavy bokken overhead with kill-shot speed, aiming directly at Master Sato’s left temple. The wooden blade tore through the air with a terrifying whistle—a blow heavy enough to shatter solid concrete. The live chat on the streaming phones went wild as the students held their breath, expecting a brutal impact.
"Die, old man!" Kenji grunted, pouring every ounce of his weight into the downward arc.
Master Sato didn't flinch. Just as the wooden sword was three centimeters from his skin, the old master took a tiny quarter-step sideways. Rather than blocking the massive strike head-on, he raised his bamboo rod at a precise 45-degree angle, lightly brushing the side of Kenji’s speeding weapon. The subtle redirect changed the trajectory of Kenji's strike by just an inch—enough to miss entirely.
Chapter 3: The Weight of Silence
The heavy wooden sword crashed harmlessly through empty air, dragging Kenji’s overcommitted momentum forward. His eyes widened in absolute horror as his balance vanished.