Exposing his unprotected flank, Kenji gasped, "What—"
Before he could finish his thought, Master Sato’s movement blurred. The grandmaster didn't use force; he seamlessly pivoted on his heel, tapping the bottom tip of his bamboo staff against a pressure point behind Kenji’s right knee, followed by a soft press to his neck.
It wasn't a violent hit, but the energy transfer shut down Kenji’s muscular control instantly. The wooden sword slipped from his numb fingers, clattering loudly onto the polished floorboards—CLACK!
Kenji hit the mat hard, dropping to both knees, gasping for air as if the wind had been sucked straight out of his lungs. The loud arena instantly dropped into deafening silence.
Chapter 4: The Secret Carved in Wood
Master Sato lowered his staff, looking down at his former student with a calm, solemn gaze.