Kato’s training went on for a week and the results he showed within a week were quite impressive. His reflexes were fast and adaptive, almost like he has trained for this his entire life. It made it easier for Arou and Kayomi that Kato was a fast learner. 

Once a particular subject is explained to him, he would get it right almost immediately which amazed and terrified Arou and Kayomi on the high potential Kato had. 

Today's training was extremely important as Kato would face off against Arou using the combat training and the shadow technique he had just started learning a few days ago. 

Everyone was there to witness the fight happen and Mira and Kenji were the last ones to show up. Kayomi, Isaiah, Yamato, Cookie, and Uta were already observing Kato’s fight with Arou. 

Isaiah: (notices them) You're late. 

Kenji: Yeah, that was my fault. I had Mira wait for me. As for Mira—

Yamato: Yeah I was wondering why she wasn't here. She never misses a day when it comes to watching Kato train..

Mira: Shut up.

Kenji: So how’s Kato doing?

Kayomi: He’s been doing great actually. He’s drastically improved. It’s actually amazing and scary. 

Mira: Scary?

Kayomi: Kato has a very attentive mind and he learns things as quickly as he hears them. He was supposed to learn how to use a shadow technique so soon and he got the grasp of it last night. 

Kenji: For real?

Yamato flinched hearing this but no one seemed to notice it as they were too surprised by what Kayomi had just said. 

Kayomi: However, he does have one problem though.

Mira: Huh?

Kenji: What problem.

That was when Kenji and Mira noticed that Kato had his hands filled with bandages and then they understood what Kayomi was talking about. 

*******

Both Kato and Arou took the “TURTLE HERMIT” fighting stance. Both opponents had their eyes locked on each other and prepared themselves for battle..

Arou: To make this easier for you, I'm not going to make use of my shadow technique but you're free to use the one you just learnt. 

Kato: (clenches his fists) Right!

The fight began. Kato threw a kick with his left leg, but Arou blocked it with ease. Kato followed with another kick, which Arou blocked again. Kato closed the distance and threw punches with both hands, while using his right leg to strike Arou’s left side. Arou blocked all of Kato’s attacks.  

Arou stepped back, and Kato rushed forward, throwing a punch with his left hand. Arou deflected it and countered with a blow from his left hand. Kato dodged and landed a strike on Arou’s left side. The battle continued like this, with both fighters landing blows, blocking, and evading attacks. 

Arou then retaliated by throwing a massive punch at Kato with his right hand but Kato dodged it and was able to land another blow on Arou’s face using his left hand to punch him. But then Arou attacked again with his left hand heading towards Kato’s face and Kato used his left arm to block the attack. Arou tried to use his left arm to attack further but Kato dodged it and landed another blow on Arou's face using his left hand.

This shocked everyone including Arou himself..

Kenji: Oh. He really is good. 

Mira: (smiles) Yeah he is. 

Isaiah: He’s landed three hits on Arou already.

Cookie: That's because he's holding back though.

Yamato said nothing and just watched the fight as it went on. An uncomfortable feeling suddenly began to form in his chest. 

Meanwhile, both Arou and Kato were sweating and smiling at each other..Kato felt more confident in himself and was determined to continue.

Arou: (smiles) Not bad, Kato. But now is the time to apply pressure.

Arou suddenly began to attack with both of his arms and put Kato in a position where he had to constantly be on defense or he would take multiple blows to the head. 

Kato kept on blocking and when he saw an opening, he landed yet another blow on Roshi using his left hand. But Arou responded immediately by landing his own blow on Kato’s face with his right hand sending him to the ground. 

Kato stood up immediately and attacked Arou’s legs using his right leg. Arou blocked it and tried to throw another punch at Kato but then just when the blow was about to hit, Kato jumped and kicked Arou in the chest and pushed Arou back by four steps.

Arou regained his balance and began to throw punches at Kato who kept on blocking and dodging them. Just as Kato was about to land another blow, Arou kicked Kato in the chest and he began to stagger and before Kato could regain his footing, Arou jumped and kicked Kato in the chest twice sending Kato to the ground once again.

Kato stood up once again and Arou began to attack him with multiple blows and he had no choice but to block all the attacks. Arou began to corner Kato and then Kato responded by kicking Arou in the face with his right leg sending him to the ground as well. 

Arou and Kato grinned at each other. 

Arou: Well, this is getting interesting. You’re putting up a good fight. Now, let’s see you do it. Use the Shadow Rush technique on me.

Kato: Huh!?

Mira: Huh!?

Kenji: Oh….

Isaiah: What is he thinking? 

Kato: Are you sure Arou? You told me how much damage it causes….

Arou: It’ll be fine. Just trust me. Do it.

Kato sighed and then began to gather shadow energy into his right hand.

The Shadow Rush technique, developed during the war between Shadows and Clarions, allowed those without natural techniques to fight back. Shadow energy is normally light blue and it turns black when it is being compressed. By compressing shadow energy in a particular part of the body, its impact of the attack is doubled. 

With the energy compressed in his right hand, Kato and Arou rushed towards each other. Arou threw a punch with his right hand but Kato deflected it with his left hand. While still in that state, Arou tried to punch Kato with his left hand but then Kato deflected it with left hand again. With that, Roshi’s frontal torso was wide open and then…….. 

Kato: [BLACK: SHADOW RUSH] 

Kato hit Arou’s torso with the shadow rush using his right hand. The impact was massive, knocking Arou back.

Kenji: He did it huh?

Mira: (smiling) That was amazing Kato!!!!

Kato’s joy was short-lived as he suddenly held his right hand and began to grunt in pain as it began to bleed through the bandages.

Kenji: Is that it?

Kayomi: Yeah. That's the problem I was telling you about. 

As Kato winced in pain, Arou suddenly knocked him on the head, causing everyone, including Kato, to freeze in shock.

Roshi: Hasn't Kayomi told you a thousand times to reduce the amount of shadow energy you gather in your hand before compressing it! Gathering too much for the Shadow Rush will damage your body.

Kato:You could’ve told me all that without hitting me on the head.

Roshi: Well, since you don’t seem to get it when Kayomi tells you nicely, maybe you’ll get it when I knock it into your head!

Kato: What kind of sick and twisted logic is that?

Mira and the others walked over to Kato, with Mira coming in and wrapping fresh bandages around his hand.

Mira: (gently) Be careful next time, Kato. If you want, I can show you how to use the Shadow Rush more effectively. 

Kato: (smiling nervously) Oh… thanks, Mira.

Everyone (except Kayomi and Isaiah) grinned and looked at each other before looking at them.

Arou: Are you two dating?

This froze both of them in their places. 

Kato & Mira: Huh?!

Kenji and the others burst into laughter, but Isaiah and Kayomi remained stoic. 

Kato and Mira: (blushing furiously) NO, WE’RE NOT!! 

Arou: For real? 

Cookie: But they’d look good together, don’t you think so, Yamato?

Yamato didn't respond at first as he seemed lost in thought and then Cookie tapped his shoulder since it seemed to bring him back from the endless space his mind had wandered off to.

Cookie: Hey, are you okay? 

Yamato put up a smile which Cookie couldn't tell was fake.

Yamato: Yeah, I'm fine.